August 20, 2025
Ann Arbor’s Green Spaces: Parks and Gardens
You may have heard Ann Arbor referred to as “Tree Town,” which is a nickname that has been used by those who appreciate the natural beauty of the city. Residents and visitors alike can find an abundance of outdoor opportunities in Tree Town and beyond, including nearby cities such as Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti, and Chelsea. Make a bucket list of parks and gardens to explore and make sure to have your camera ready for beautiful natural landscapes!
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
1800 North Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor
Explore beautiful outdoor gardens at Ann Arbor’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens. There are nearly three miles of trails onsite, as well as an indoor multi-climate conservatory where you can discover unique plant life. The gardens are closed on Mondays and open beginning at 10:00 AM throughout the rest of the week. When visiting, there is metered parking available and admission is free. Keep an eye out for upcoming events at the botanical gardens, such as nature play pop-up activities for the kiddos and native plant sales for those looking to spruce up their yards! Guests are encouraged to take personal photos at the gardens and arboretum, which is a great way to hone your photography skills and commemorate your visit with visual memories.
Gallup Park
As one of Ann Arbor’s most popular public parks, Gallup Park is a great spot to spend the afternoon soaking in the sunshine. The property spans 69 acres and is conveniently positioned alongside the Huron River and Geddes Pond. Visitors will enjoy picturesque views and various walkways and pedestrian bridges. There are a multitude of amenities at the park, including three playgrounds, paddle boat rentals, picnic areas, and grills. There are three miles of trails that are suitable for biking, walking, rollerblading, and running. Additionally, there is a public boat launch and riverside seating for those wanting to spend a day on the water. Take advantage of volleyball courts if you want to practice your serve! There is vehicle access and limited parking available at the Fuller Road entrance.
Nelson Meade County Farm Park
Looking for some peace and solitude in nature? The Nelson Meade County Farm Park has it in abundance! Located on the east side of Ann Arbor, this expansive park boasts an impressive 127 acres of green space to explore, including a range of family-friendly amenities to enjoy. Kiddos will love the playground and families can enjoy their favorite snacks at one of the picnic areas. There are walking trails in and around the park, providing an opportunity to stretch your legs and get your steps in for the day. Some paths are paved, while others are gravel — so keep this in mind if you have a stroller with you. There is an exercise trail on site, which features fitness equipment to get an outdoor workout in!
Bluffs Nature Area
1279 North Main Street, Ann Arbor
Bluffs Nature Area includes approximately 40 acres of land, brimming with nature and outdoor exploration opportunities. Located on a glacially formed ridge, this natural area serves as an integral link in the corridor of natural green areas that surround the Huron River and the native wildlife in the region. There are footpath trails that wind throughout the property, which serve as a prime opportunity for enthusiastic hikers to get some miles in. During the springtime, visitors will enjoy a range of vivid green shades in the trees, plus blooming violets, trout lilies, wild geraniums, and more! Fall brings beautiful changing colors that make for a great background to your family photos! Keep an eye out for deer, as well as the many birds that call the nature area home.
Pierce Park
851 South Main Street, Chelsea
Conveniently located on Chelsea’s Main Street, Piece Park is a quaint green space that features a reservable pavilion, a swing set, and a play structure for children to enjoy. There are also picnic areas dispersed around the 4.6 acre park! The park is home to a distinct large rock, which was previously moved from the old schoolhouse site in town. Oftentimes, the rock is painted for local themes and events! Painting of the rock is on a “first come, first serve” basis — so flex your creativity muscles and give it a go. There is an adequate-sized parking lot and lots of room to run around, so bring the frisbee out or throw a ball around!
LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve
2384 N. Prospect Rd., Superior Township
This expansive 325-acre nature preserve is located in the popular Superior Greenway along Prospect and Geddes roads and owned by the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC). The preserve protects a range of southern Michigan habitat types and features public trails that wind through woods, wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and more. If you’re looking for prime birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities, this is the place to check out! Make sure to trek to the grassy hilltop that sits 35 feet above its surroundings and take in the stunning panoramic view of the surrounding wetlands. The preserve trails are connected to the Superior Greenway Nature Trail, which runs from the LeFurge Woods parking lot on Prospect Road to Washtenaw County’s Meyer Preserve East and SMLC’s Jack R. Smiley Preserve, ultimately ending at Superior Township Hall.
North Bay Park
1151 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti
North Bay Park spans 139 acres and is located at the west end of Fort Lake. The park features a boardwalk and trail system that meanders throughout the woods, the wetlands, and even along the shores of the lake. In total, there are approximately 2 miles of trails. Other amenities and park features include an observation tour where visitors can take a photograph of the beautiful view, as well as islands and bridges found along the trails. There are prime fishing opportunities to be found along the shoreline at Ford Lake for anglers and the kiddos will love the playground onsite. There are two shelters, as well as restroom facilities and plenty of picnicking spots. During the park season, the area is staffed and gated. Keep an eye out for the variety of birdlife that call North Bay Park home — including herons, egrets, ducks, and cormorants.
Cherry Hill Nature Preserve
6375 Cherry Hill Road, Superior Township
The Cherry Hill Nature Preserve encompasses 160 acres of diversified terrain, such as rolling hills, wetlands, meadows, woods, and even a portion of Fleming Creek. The preserve is owned and operated by Superior Township and is open for public recreation. Several walking paths have been created so that community members can enjoy the beautiful scenery and admire the wildlife population. Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for resident owls, as well as for various wetland bird species like warblers, bluebirds, and more. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The 1.6-mile Cherry Hill Nature Preserve loop trail takes visitors an average of a half hour to complete and it’s a great way to view the preserve and spot some of the animals that are native to the region.
Dexter-Huron Metropark
6535 Huron River Drive, Dexter
The Dexter-Huron Metropark is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily and features rich ecosystems along the Huron River. The dense woodlands that can be found in the park are home to a range of wildlife and visitors can enjoy views of open fields and gently flowing waters that are also home to unique plant and animal life. Whether you opt to spend the day hiking, picnicking, or fishing — there’s plenty to do and see within the bounds of this 122-acre green space. Children will have access to play equipment and visitors can enjoy the baseball diamond and onsite restroom facilities. There is a parking fee of $10 for day use or residents can purchase an annual vehicle pass to make use of the metropark throughout the year. Popular activities at the metropark include birdwatching, biking and simply enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature!
Curtiss Park
440 West Michigan Avenue, Saline
Curtiss Park comes in at approximately 50 acres, making it Saline’s 2nd largest municipal park behind nearby Mill Pond Park. There is a massive parking lot, which can hold up to 150 vehicles so there’s no need to worry about searching endlessly for a spot. Curtiss Park can be described as “four parks in one,” as it has a wide variety of amenities and recreational opportunities. The park includes a baseball field, a playground, picnic areas, a rentable pavilion, wooded trails, and Saline River public access for all of your river recreation needs. Visitors will also enjoy the observation deck over the river, which provides beautiful views of the sunset! Whether you’re in the mood to take a leisurely walk or you want to cast a line, have a picnic, or toss the frisbee with the family — you can do it all at Curtiss Park.
Mill Pond Park
565 West Bennett Street, Saline
Mill Pond Park is the largest community green space in Saline. This popular destination hosts various events throughout the year and is located across the street from Curtiss Park — so feel free to check them both out! There is an area of 54 acres within the borders of Mill Pond Park, as well as a 68-spot parking lot and plenty of space to host functions, picnics, and various outdoor activities. Park amenities include a boat launch, a pavilion, accessible restrooms, soccer fields, and wide-open green fields. There are nature trails, as well as a one-acre dog park, and a sizable children’s play structure. Take advantage of onsite grills and BBQ for the family or relax on one of the benches situated throughout the park to take in the views.
Furstenberg Nature Area
Furstenberg Nature Area boasts approximately 38 acres of land and is located just west of Ann Arbor’s Gallup Park. The area borders the Huron River, meaning that there is a variety of terrain to be explored such as wetlands, woodlands, prairie, and even oak savannah! There is a half-mile paved loop that wraps around the park, as well as a granular trail that traipses through the prairie and woods and connects to a beautiful wetland boardwalk. Not only is Furstenberg Nature Area a great spot to enjoy the quiet sounds of leaves in the wind, but it’s a prime wildlife-watching spot as well! Snag a bench and whip out your binoculars to catch a glimpse of some of the varied birdlife in the forest or in the marsh. There are even several frog species that you can keep an eye out for, such as First Spring Peepers, American Toads, and Gray Treefrogs!
Eberwhite Nature Area
Ann Arbor’s Eberwhite Nature Area may be on the smaller side but it isn’t lacking in outdoor serenity! The 2.5-acre natural area is located west of downtown and connects to the more expansive Eberwhite Woods. This beautiful forested area is filled with mature oak trees, as well as hickory, black cherry, black walnut, beech, and elm varieties. Visitors will find bustling wildlife activity and varied plant life, depending on the season they visit. When visiting Eberwhite, keep in mind that smoking is prohibited and all dogs must remain leashed. Eberwhite Nature Area is open from 6:00 AM until midnight, giving you plenty of time to explore the unpaved trails and reconnect with nature. There is street parking available, as well as parking spaces in a nearby church lot.
Get Out & Explore Nature Around the Ann Arbor Area!
Whether you’re looking to leisurely meander around the Matthaei Botanical Gardens or you want to explore the trails at a local nature preserve — these green spaces, parks, and gardens have an abundance of views to offer. The Ann Arbor area is brimming with opportunities to get outside, soak in the sun, and partake in some awesome activities such as fishing, paddle boarding, biking, birdwatching, and more!
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