Trip 3: October 22th

Trip 3: October 

There’s something about October that makes even the smallest parks feel poetic. The mornings are cool without being cruel, the trees are halfway through their identity crisis, and every trail feels like it’s coated with a crunchy patchwork quilt.

For today’s adventure, I headed south and east to a cluster of parks I’ve visited before on runs. This little corner of the city felt like the perfect place to savor fall before the snow (and my complaining about winter) inevitably arrives.

Redbud Nature Area was a perfect start to the October day because of the beautiful fall colors on the ground and on the trees. 

Scheffler Park was a little run down but nice nonetheless.

Coincidentally named after the old street I lived on during my sophomore and junior years, Sylvan Park was a nice neighborhood park. I am a BIG pickleball fan and this park had several nice pickleball courts it gets bonus points.

Terhune Pioneer Memorial Park was very solemn because it was a cemetery. I wasn’t expecting that but was even more surprised to see that it was housing gravestones dating back to the revolutionary war. 

Pittsview Park was just an open field with a picnic table.

Redwood Park was also another small park with a few benches, some covered and some uncovered.

Tumberry Park had a nice playground structure and a swing set. I didn’t check out the nature trail due to time constraints, but it looked nice.

Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area was MASSIVE. It’s connected in the middle by Scarlett Woods, which I know the city of Ann Arbor does not own (not sure who does) but you can still walk through the area to explore. The nature area is also next to Scarlett and Mitchell schools which you can see from certain parts of the nature area. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking to explore the woods without leaving Ann Arbor.

Swift Run Park is a dog park. There were unfortunately no dogs when I visited.

Southeast Area Park has since changed names and is now know as Bicentennial Park. The VEP Challenge needs to update their name! I was a little confused at first because of the name change because I thought I was in the wrong place, but I figured it out eventually. The park is more of an athletic complex with a bunch of places for kids to play various sports.

Ellsworth Park had an okay soccer and basketball field.

Arbor Oaks Park had a pretty cool playground! It was blue, green, and purple which I haven’t seen before. Big fan!

Bryant Community Center is a community center. I am still confused as to how this makes the list; was disappointed overall and didn’t stay long.

Pilgrim Park is very cute and quaint. A park you would love to live down the street from.

Mary Beth Doyle Park is where I spent the longest because I LOVE this park. It is such a hidden gem. It has an amazing disc gold course that I would highly recommend playing, even if you have never played disc golf before. It also has an expansive walking trail and a rain garden (which I still think is just a fancy word for a pond). Overall, visit this park!

Rose Park has a nice playground, not much to report.

Mill Creek Park is simply just grass between two residential complexes. Very confused why the city of Ann Arbor owns this…

Clinton Park has a nice playground for smaller kids along with a basketball court, a tennis court, and some soccer field. Average neighborhood park overall with some nice open space.

Brookside Park has an AMAZING sign! More parks need to have fun signs, I like the classic wood ones but I also want something that draws me in. Convince me to visit your park! This park also had a volleyball net, which I haven’t seen at any of the parks yet so bonus points for creativity and encouraging a different sport. 

Stone School Park is one that I have run past many times but not ever gone into. It’s directly next to a school and mostly a forest with a few trails. It was a pleasant trail but I am not sure I would go back.

Esch Park was a very nice neighborhood park! Honestly had everything I would like for in a nice, larger sided neighborhood park. 

The Ponds Park had a red merry-go-round similar to Allmendinger park, which I’ve already visited. I really loved this park! It also had a bunch of accessible playground equipment including a swing which is always great to see. The playground park is definitely geared more towards little kids but there’s also a ton of open space and athletic complexes for everyone to enjoy.

Molin Nature Area had short trails, lots of leaves, very cozy. A hidden gem for anyone who loves small, easily digestible nature walks.

Buhr Park is another one of my favorites. I love the windy trail, the tennis courts, the public book which turns into an ice rink. I definitely recommend more students checking this park out, it’s pretty close to trader joes as well. This is a favorite spot for me when I’m running and one I hope to explore again.

Cobblestone Farm is a little underwhelming. It’s housed basically in Buhr park. It’s mostly an old barn with some gardens around it (I think). I’ve always wanted to go in the building and unfortunately today was not that day. 

Today reminded me why October might be the most underrated month for exploring parks. Everything is changing, yet everything feels calm. The world feels softer under fallen leaves, and even the smallest parks, the ones squeezed between houses or hiding at the end of cul-de-sacs,  feel suddenly worthy of a visit. It’s easy to forget how much color this city has before winter makes everything gray. And as I walked and jogged through these parks, I found myself hoping I’ll remember to appreciate fall while it’s still here, before it all fades and I inevitably start complaining about the cold again. But for now? I’m grateful for the crunch of leaves, the smell of wood and earth, and the way October makes even the simplest places feel meaningful.