Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center is looking for an instructor for their water aerobics program. Email [email protected] if you're interested in teaching in their newly upgraded space!

Naturalist Notes: Monarch Mania by Shawn

If you are noticing more monarch butterflies this year, you may be right! It seems the warm, somewhat wet summer has been kind to these spectacular orange and black insects. A population rebound would be a welcome sight, as overwintering numbers have declined by 80% since the 1990s. While the milkweed is done blooming, the caterpillars are still eating and growing. They will emerge as the super-generation, which lives up to 8 months and flies up to 3,000 miles to overwinter in central Mexico.

Want to learn more about monarch butterflies and other pollinators? Check out Shawn's upcoming Milkweed Community family program at West Lake County Preserve on Saturday, September 26! Use our Nature Hikes and Programs link in our Linktree to register!

Then, on Monday, September 28, there's a BioBlitz happening at the Freeman Environmental Education Center! Stay tuned for more information.

📸 credit - photos 1 and 4 by Shawn, photos 2 and 3 by Photo Ambassador Julie

We're about a month out from Folk Fest at Mi Folk School!

Have a folksy good time with us on September 19!

🐕Learn how our furry friends can help detect invasive species!🐶

We're one week out from this free workshop at Lyndon Township Hall in Chelsea! Community partners will demonstrate how dogs sniff out the invasive spotted lanternfly, along with removal techniques for the invasive tree of heaven.

Thank you to Washtenaw County Conservation District, Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, Forest to MI Faucet for putting on this awesome event!

Can't make this event? Mi Folk School has a Noses for Nature Conservation Detection Dog class coming up on September 2! Check out the Michigan Folk School link in our Linktree!

Impasto Detroit is coming to County Farm Park this Foodie Friday!

Stop by County Farm Park in Ann Arbor for Italian inspired wraps between 11am and 7pm (or until truck sells out).

It’s not impossible… it’s Impasto Detroit coming to County Farm Park for Foodie Friday!

Fuel up for some play at the park with Impasto’s authentic Italian street food 11am-7pm (or until truck sells out) this Friday, August 14. What makes their dough special? Bring the family to County Farm Park (2230 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor) and taste for yourself!
No registration needed! Just stop by to buy.

This Friday at Independence Lake, gaze upon constellations at the Perseid Meteor Shower viewing!

The Perseid Meteor Shower is the talk of the hemisphere! Will you be joining us for a night under the summer stars this Friday?

Gaze upon constellations and possibly see “shooting stars” from the Perseid Meteor Shower on August 14. Park Naturalist, Kelsey Dehring, will be walking around during the evening to point out various night sky objects.
Registration is required. Program is subject to cancellation due to weather; registrants will be notified. Sign up using the Program and Event Registration link in our Linktree! Vehicle entry fee required.

Photo credit: Parks Photo Ambassador Ben at Park Lyndon South

Dogs can help sniff out invasive species?? Yep. Check out this event coming up on Friday, August 21!

🚨 Calling all crafters: We have two craft shows coming up! 📅

A craft show by the beach? Yes, please! The fourth annual Independence Lake Craft Show is coming up on Saturday, September 26. Be part of this year’s event by selling your art at this beautiful lakefront! Interested? Use this link: https://bit.ly/4q1BnUk

Next up, Fall Festival is back at County Farm Park! Saturday, October 10, we’re celebrating the season with this second annual free family event. We’re looking for crafters who’d like to set up shop, for members of the community (and beyond!) to peruse during the celebration. If you’re interested, fill out this form: https://bit.ly/3RZ2cvA

Fore! Youth golfing at Pierce Lake

Pierce Lake Golf Course is proud to partner with Youth on Course, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing cost barriers and making golf more accessible for youth ages 6-18. Through this partnership, registered Youth on Course members can play Pierce Lake for just $5 on Monday through Thursday after 12pm and Friday through Sunday after 2pm.