Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial Park initiative gets funding boost from University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials are inviting community members to a special dedication ceremony to officially rename Southeast Area Park as Bicentennial Park.

In celebration of the city’s 200th anniversary, the city is planning big improvements to the park, including a highly anticipated splash pad feature and a universally accessible playground the University of Michigan is helping fund.

The parks department’s ceremony to celebrate the renaming and the upcoming investments will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the park off Ellsworth Road.

Renaming and reinvesting in the park serves as a significant, lasting remembrance of the city’s 200-year milestone, City Administrator Milton Dohoney said in a statement.

The city aims to “elevate the park to become a premier recreation destination.”

A playground area at Ann Arbor's Bicentennial Park off Ellsworth Road on July 8, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

At Thursday’s event, the city plans to recognize major gifts from the university, including a donation of $300,000 to help fund the universally accessible playground at Bicentennial Park and $125,000 for new playground equipment at Fuller Park, another city park near the Michigan Medicine hospital complex.

“We are thrilled to support these initiatives as part of the Ann Arbor bicentennial celebration,” Chris Kolb, UM’s vice president for government relations, said in a statement, saying UM aims to create a sense of community, promote healthy lifestyles and celebrate Ann Arbor’s rich history and promising future.

Investing in the community’s future and ensuring children and families have access to recreational spaces is important to the university, Geoff Chatas, UM’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, added in a statement.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors, making Ann Arbor a more vibrant and welcoming place for everyone,” he said.

Other park improvements are being made possible with funding support from the state, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and others.

A sign at the park encourages community members to visit a2gov.org/a200 to learn more and donate.

“The primary enhancement will be Ann Arbor’s first universal-access splash pad, updated playground, pavilion and restrooms, all of which will be solar-powered,” the signs states. “Additional items being considered are a new building and shelter to support park operations and programming, trail improvements and more.”

Another sign near the park’s basketball court notes special bicentennial murals are to be painted on the court there and the courts at Leslie Park. The sign noted residents had until June 28 to vote on their favorite design among three options.

The park currently features playground areas, lighted softball and baseball fields, athletic fields, a full basketball court, a picnic shelter, a drinking fountain, restrooms, picnic tables and grills. A paved, half-mile path loops around the perimeter.

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