ANN ARBOR, MI – Ann Arbor’s extensive network of parks and natural areas has long been a point of community pride.
With more than 160 parks in the city, there’s one that’s within walking distance of almost anywhere in Ann Arbor.
The city’s parks department recently announced that it is looking for volunteers in the community to help with research and documentation of its history. After that effort, let’s take a look back at some historical photos from the The Ann Arbor News archives.
Children in the carousel in Allmendinger Park in Ann Arbor in May 1951.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Neighborhood children enjoy the opening of the new Burns Park paddling pool in Ann Arbor in July 1944. It was given to the Ann Arbor children by the local Kiwanis Club, and the Kiwanians were asked to build an identical pool in West Park.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A sailboat race in the paddling pool in West Park, Ann Arbor in July 1957. Participants made their own ships and a gentle breeze carried the boats across the water to the other side of the pool.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children visit the Ann Arbor Public Library bookmobile in Burns Park in June 1957.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Stratt Brown (left) and Robert Long rehearse their “Corbett and Sullivan Act” on ice skates at Burns Park, Ann Arbor in July 1938, to keep the All-City Circus under the floodlights of Wines Field as the highlight of the summer recreation program for the next month.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
On July 4th, 1936, Danish dancers rehearse in Ann Arbor’s West Park.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children play croquet at Burns Park in Ann Arbor in June 1957.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
This game of croquet, held in Burns Park in June 1957, was one of many supervised daily activities offered to children as part of a citywide summer recreation program.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
The Ann Arbor Civic Band played in West Park in July 1988 in a 90 degree heat.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
The Ann Arbor Civic Band played in West Park in July 1988 in a 90 degree heat.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A baseball game between Detroit Edison and King Seeley Corp. in Ann Arbor’s West Park in May 1938.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Another look at Ann Arbor’s West Park Bandshell, which was under construction in 1938. When it was first built it was called the West Park Orchestra Shell.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Ann Arbors West Park Bandshell is nearing completion in June 1938.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
City worker Stanley Ehnis set up a sprinkler system in Northside Park in December 1965 when ice rinks were made available in six large parks.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Ice skating in Allmendinger Park in Ann Arbor in January 1941.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
An aerial view of the future Buhr Park area after it was cleared in September 1952. The land was part of Robert Campbell Farm and the park was named in memory of the late founder of Buhr Machine & Tool Co. who was a cash gift for the property.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
The workers were busy in March 1956 preparing the Allmendinger Park animal shelter for the Ann Arbor voters in the upcoming city elections. It was the first time that the shelter was used as a polling station. A dirt sidewalk is being laid in the foreground and a Michigan Bell Telephone Co. man is installing a telephone service in the background.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A tree planting in Allmendinger Park in Ann Arbor in 1939.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children play baseball at Burns Park in Ann Arbor in June 1957.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children play checkers at Burns Park in June 1957. Summer games, handicrafts and other activities were offered daily at six municipal playgrounds.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Ann Arbors Hunt Park in August 1951.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Danny Struble, 13, from 1304 Horman Ct. (hand raised) was the winner of a cake eating competition at Burns Park in June 1956. The competition was sponsored by the Recreation Department of Ann Arbor Public Schools, which oversaw summer game activities at 11 playgrounds across town.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children take part in the Burns Park 500 cycling race in July 1972.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Skaters played “Crack the Whip” at Burns Park Ice Rink in Ann Arbor in December 1954.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Helen Marie Busch of 932 Dewey Ave., left, and Jackie Hickey of Ferdon Road 2021 warm up at the hearth at Burns Park Ice Rink Shelter in Ann Arbor in December 1954.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Winter fun in Ann Arbor’s West Park in December 1950.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A ballerina performance in Ann Arbor’s West Park in July 1942.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
In March 1961, lights were installed for a baseball field in Ann Arbor’s Veterans Memorial Park.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Flooding along the Huron River in Ann Arbor’s Island Park in April 1937.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Tobogganing in Ann Arbor’s West Park in January 1956.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Ice skating in Ann Arbor’s West Park in January 1956.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Children craft at Ann Arbor Waterworks Park in the summer of 1938.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
James Jones, 11, of 125 Beakes St., was declared Champion Bubblegum Blower in July 1954 at Summit Street Playground in Ann Arbor. This was his title win. The playground is now known as Wheeler Park.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A performance at Ann Arbor’s West Park Bandshell in August 1964.Ann Arbor News Archive courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
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