The Importance of Parks
Ann Arbor has long prided itself on its balance of urban life and natural beauty. With more than 160 parks spread across the city, totaling over 2,200 acres, green spaces are woven into nearly every neighborhood. From the buzzing Saturday morning energy at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Kerrytown to the serene trails winding through Bird Hills Nature Area, the city’s parks aren’t just amenities; they’re part of its identity.
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Parks in Ann Arbor do far more than provide a place to play or picnic. They support physical and mental health, foster social connection, protect local ecosystems, and even strengthen the city’s economy. Research from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability shows that access to green spaces correlates with lower stress levels, higher physical activity, and stronger community cohesion. Parks act as “third spaces”, neither home nor work, where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect.
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Environmental benefits are just as crucial. The Huron River and its adjoining green corridors, for instance, provide vital wildlife habitat, help manage stormwater, and reduce the urban heat island effect. These natural services are increasingly important as Ann Arbor pursues its A2Zero carbon neutrality goals. The city’s parks system is not only a place for recreation but also a frontline defense in climate resilience.
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Economically, parks add value as well. Studies have shown that proximity to green space can increase property values and attract businesses and tourism. Gallup Park and Nichols Arboretum draw visitors year-round, fueling local restaurants, shops, and cultural events. Simply put, investing in parks is an investment in Ann Arbor’s long-term livability.
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Yet, like many cities, Ann Arbor faces challenges in maintaining and equitably expanding its parks system. Some neighborhoods enjoy abundant access to trails and tree cover, while others have fewer or smaller green spaces. As the city grows and land use pressures increase, ensuring equitable access to parks will be key to keeping Ann Arbor green and connected.
Ann Arbor’s parks may vary in size and style but collectively, they represent the city’s enduring commitment to public space, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and digital, the parks remind us of something beautifully simple: that time spent outdoors, together, is time well spent.
Sources:
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City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Department, Parks and Open Space Plan, 2023–2028.
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University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, Urban Green Space and Health Research, 2022.
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National Recreation and Park Association, The Economic Impact of Local Parks, 2023.
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City of Ann Arbor, A2Zero Climate Action Plan, 2020.
What is a park?
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I set out to answer this question after my first round of visiting Ann Arbor Parks. After seeing parks with soccer fields, playgrounds, and community gardens and parks with a singular bench and 20 sq ft of space, I was perplexed as to what made each one of these different spaces a park.
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At first, I assumed size had something to do with it. A park needs to have room for a few trees, or at least a place to toss a Frisbee. But the city’s tiniest “parks” defied this logic. George Washington Park aka “The Rock” is a mere rock and an electric box with a tiny bit of grass. How could this be a park?
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So, what does it mean? According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), a park is broadly defined as “an area of land set aside for public recreation and enjoyment” (NRPA, 2021). That’s pretty vague. It leaves room for everything from sprawling nature reserves to the previously mentioned rock next to a stoplight.
Historically, parks have been as much about philosophy as they are about space. The first public parks in the U.S., like New York’s Central Park (established in 1858), were imagined as “the lungs of the city”. They were sanctuaries of greenery meant to counterbalance the toughness of industrial life (Schuyler, 1986). Later, in the mid-20th century, the idea of the neighborhood park evolved: not just places to breathe, but places to belong, complete with swing sets, picnic shelters, and basketball courts (Cranz, 1982).
Modern urban planners have taken the definition even further. Today, a park might be a restored wetland, a rooftop garden, a dog run, or even a traffic median with a picnic table. What unites them isn’t their form, but their function. They’re spaces that invite public life, however fleeting or quiet. They offer a pause in the rhythm of a city, an invitation to sit, walk, play, or simply be.
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Research suggests that no matter the size or features, parks serve vital social and psychological functions. Studies have shown that even small green spaces can improve mood, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging (Bratman et al., Nature, 2019). So perhaps the real common denominator isn’t acreage or amenities, but the invitation to pause, breathe, and feel connected to something a bit bigger than yourself, even if that “something” is just a large rock.
Sources
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Park,” 2025.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park Metrics, 2023.
Bratman, G.N. et al., “Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective,” Science Advances, 2019.