see the mermaid bathing in her pool, as fairies scamper through the woods. -jack horne -- *still walking the 150 parks, into the b parks on the list now more beautiful discoveries every day shot above taken in bird hills park, ann arbor
ann arbor art fair – july 1978
—
it began in 1960
when
132 artists (99 of them local)
strung their artwork between parking meters
and locals came by
curious to see if artists
would really put their work on display in the street.
it now hosts over 1,000 artists and 500,000 + visitors
from near and far each year.
the ann arbor art fairs
(actually now a group of four)
will kick off today and take over the city
for what always promises to be four days
of creative display, talks with artists,
bargaining, excitement.
music, children’s activities,
and always, always
lots of surprises.
—
“the art world is filled with vibrancy.”
-rachel kushner
—
image credit: ann arbor news archives, ann arbor public library old news, m live. com
and so –
my ann arbor parks walk (150+) has begun
here are the ‘a’s
#1 – Allmendinger Park
old school merry go round, in neighborhood in town, near the stadium, got really lost walking home from there and doubled my walk, picnic spots with grills, volleyball, old trees, basketball, tennis, baseball diamonds, ice skating in winter
– 8 acres
#2 – arbor hills nature area
between neighborhoods, ponds, loud frogs, birds, picnic spots in sweeping expanses under trees, wooded trails, scared a woman when i emerged from the woods who was shocked that i had found it
– 6 acres
#3 – Arbor Oaks
neighborhood park, basketball, open pergolas, open fields, picnic area, pirate themed playground, rain garden, baseball, i was the only person there on the day i visited
-8 acres
#4 – Argo Nature Area
– unpaved trails with beautiful views of the river, livery with canoes/kayak/paddle board rentals, river cascades, long, narrow park, large variety of trees, wildflowers, very quiet in the woods
-22 acres
and onward……many more to follow
—
“i believe that there is a subtle magnetism in nature,
which, if we unconsciously yield to it,
will direct us aright.”
―henry david thoreau
“oh, the summer night, has a smile of light,
and she sits on a sapphire throne.”
-bryan procter
—
huron river, ann arbor, michigan, usa
the dinos have had it
and it looks like
they’ve organized
as seen in
this garden in town.
—
“climate is an angry beast
and we are poking at it with sticks.”
photo credit: ann arbor townies, k. nyht
as i’ve been walking and exploring
the parks and outdoor recreation areas around town
i realize how many i have yet to visit
so i’ve decided to walk in each of the parks
in ann arbor
all 159+ of them
to see what is unique about each
with more than
2,000 acres of parkland
50,000 trees
a river, dams, falls, hills, ponds, gardens,
woods, meadows, prairies, and rec areas
found in spaces ranging from
tiny neighborhood green spots to wide open expanses
i see an adventure ahead
with no planned deadline or timeline
so i began the list alphabetically yesterday
and have walked 2 of them so far
only 157+ to go.
—
“parks are works of art just as a painting or sculpture is.”
-thomas hoving
—
credits: ann arbor parks and recreation
chris taylor atop a bit of art at ann arbor’s top of the park festival
—
i had a pleasant surprise
when i opened my front door
and standing there was
my mayor, chris taylor
he was walking around the neighborhoods
talking to people
about the upcoming primary election
we talked for a bit
and i thanked him
for all he’s done
and continues to do
for ann arbor
when he left
and i closed the door
i thought that this is how politicians should be
just walking around talking to people in their neighborhoods.
—
“the true privilege of being mayor
is that I have the opportunity to be everyone’s neighbor.”
-thomas menino
