Development News

Ann Arbor puts West Park upgrades on fast track

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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Quality Of Life, Redevelopment, Sustainability

Ann Arbor

Lots of people look at Ann Arbor's West Park and think its area with potential to be so much more. Now the city is poised to capitalize on that.

"We got ranked very high for federal stimulus money so we're zooming the project forward," says Amy Kuras, a park planner for the city of Ann Arbor.

The upgrades include making the park much friendlier to the environment and patrons. The $3.5 million project could begin as early as next summer.

On the environmental end, the project will include creating a number of bioswells, linear depressions similar to rain gardens filled with native plants, that will help absorb the water runoff that runs through the park's east/west crevice. It will include a boardwalk along part of it and another part will snake in front of the band shell.

The band shell will have a plaza built around it to facilitate more seating and gathering for events. The basketball courts on the east end will be moved to higher ground to make room for a new community garden. The stairs coming down from Huron Avenue will also be replaced.

Source: Amy Kuras, park planner for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke