Nestled in the heart of Ann Arbor, Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline Blvd,has long been a cherished spot for locals. With its mature trees offering ample shade, it’s no wonder the park’s playground has been a favorite for families over the years.
However, like all things, time took its toll, and the playground equipment, having not seen a renovation in over two decades, was due for an upgrade.
“We regularly update playground equipment to meet the current needs of the community,” shared Hillary Hanzel, City of Ann Arbor Park Planner & Landscape Architect. “This playground is incredibly popular because of its setting. However, it had not been renovated in over 20 years, and we received requests from the community to add additional play features.”
The renovations were not just about adding new equipment but also about preserving the park’s natural beauty.
“When construction takes place near existing trees, there’s always a risk of harming them. We tried to minimize the impacts to the existing trees by working around them and selecting smaller-scaled play equipment,” Hanzel said.
The community played a significant role in shaping the park’s new look. Feedback from an online survey helped the city develop designs in collaboration with playground designers from Michigan Recreational Construction.
“The community enthusiastically supported incorporating nature play elements,” Hanzel noted.
New additions to the parkÂ
So, what’s new in Allmendinger Park? The underutilized sand table was removed, making way for a plethora of new features.
Kids can now enjoy a sand play area with a log tunnel, a new play structure, a boulder mountain climber, a timber dome, stump steppers, log balance beams and a log climber.
Interestingly, several of these log items were crafted from an oak tree on-site that had to be removed due to its deteriorating health.
But the renovations weren’t just about the kids. Hanzel highlighted the broader vision for Ann Arbor’s green spaces.
“Incorporating natural elements into playgrounds supports our mission to connect people to the natural world and provide respite from the built environment,” Hanzel said.
The park also caters to children with special needs or disabilities.
“We added ADA-accessible path connections to enter the playgrounds and accessible picnic tables to support children and their caregivers with mobility impairments,” Hanzel said. “For example, the timber dome provides a retreat where children on the autism spectrum who are overstimulated can get sensory respite and time away from others.”
As for the future, there are plans to further enhance the park.
“We are looking to repave the existing pathways and add new ADA-accessible pathways, parking and seating,” Hanzel said.
The project was made possible through contributions from developers of nearby projects and the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage.
“Nature-based playgrounds have been growing in popularity and have been shown to have many benefits, such as encouraging creativity and imaginative play, being more open and inclusive, and fostering interactive play,” Hanzel added.Â
For those eager to learn more about this project and others, Hanzel pointed to the Park Planning webpage, which offers a wealth of information.
The 8-acre Allmendinger Park, located at 655 Pauline Blvd, continues to stand as a testament to Ann Arbor’s commitment to its green spaces and the community it serves.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this park is worth a visit.
