Parks and Recreation

July is National Park and Recreation Month, and as Washtenaw County honors its 200th anniversary, its park system—which celebrated its own 50th anniversary in 2023—is showcasing how public spaces serve as vital community infrastructure rather than just places for leisure. Rhonda Bouma is Deputy Director of Operations for the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. She joined Rebekah Warren to talk about what the county's park service has achieved and what it has planned for the future.

A new facility is making a splash in one of Ann Arbor’s parks with the city’s first splash pad opening to the public. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Work on the Eastern Washtenaw County Community Recreation Center continues to move forward. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The South Barton Pedestrian Bridge in Ann Arbor will be replaced with a new bridge. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

A big crowd was on hand in Ann Arbor Wednesday morning as officials cut the ribbon on the long-awaited Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

The volunteers working to turn the old Federal Screw Works in Chelsea into a city park are getting more help from the state. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

This morning, a grand opening will be held for a new universally-designed river access kayak launch and picnic grounds at Dexter-Huron Metropark. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

The task force assigned to find a path forward for the Saline Recreation Center has finalized its recommendations. It includes a possible millage and regional partnerships. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The task force discussing the future of the Saline Recreation Center is expected to finalize its report for the City Council today. Recent expenses have gotten a lot of attention regarding the future of the complex. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

On November 4, voters will decide between two candidates running for mayor of Milan. Laura Russeau is a longtime advocate and community organizer who ran for Milan City Council two years ago is running against incumbent Mayor Ed Kolar, who is seeking his third two-year term. Russeau joined WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor to talk about her candidacy and the issues that are important to her.