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Waterworks Park

275 Eighth St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

734.794.6230

Overview

Waterworks Park is a 1.48-acre park located between 7th and 8th streets and Liberty and Washington streets, just west of downtown. View the Ann Arbor Parks & Nature Areas Map for location context. Waterworks is a neighborhood park that gives a pleasant space to enjoy the outdoors near downtown. There are large trees providing an attractive canopy and plenty of shade. There are small garden beds on each edge of the park, and a larger garden in the middle featuring many native plants. The park contains picnic tables, a small play area, benches and an asphalt path running through the park between the two streets. These paths receive winter snow clearing.

Park Notices

Unless otherwise posted per City Council resolution, when a park is closed, no person shall remain in or enter it other than to quietly sit or walk.

Refer to Chapter 39 of the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for park regulations and rules.

Park Hours

6 a.m. – Midnight

Amenities

Paved Paths

Playground

Grill

Picnic Tables

Landfill Bin

Access and Parking

There is street parking on 8th Street on the west side of the park by the playground. The street parking directly in front of the park becomes a towaway zone with no parking on school days during the day. Refer to posted signs regarding parking rules and restrictions.

The park is accessible on foot by walking on sidewalks along the nearby streets, and on bicycle by riding on the local streets. There are bike lanes on 7th Street. There are no bike racks at the park.

Public Transportation

There are plenty of bus stops nearby on Huron Street and Liberty Street. The nearest stop is only a 3 to 4 minute walk. Visit TheRide for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide.

History

Ann Arbor's city parks sit on the ancestral and traditional homelands of several indigenous Native peoples. Read a land acknowledgement from the city and learn more about the early history of the land here.

The land that is Waterworks Park was acquired in 1927.

Allen's Creek runs underneath Waterworks Park. The creek was put underground in the 1920s. The park was originally home to a small pond where the creek widened out. Read more about the history of Allen's Creek here.

In 1938, kids make crafts in Waterworks Park (photo from oldnews.aadl.org)

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Western Kiwanis Club provided many improvements to the park, including the first play equipment in 1978. Read the Western Kiwanis's history of Involvement for more details on their service and projects.

The asphalt path going through the park was first constructed in 1974-75.

Park Adopters

Ann Arbor Farm & Garden became adopters taking care of Waterworks Park in the summer of 2023. They host regular workdays to maintain the park's gardens throughout the growing season. They also host spring and fall neighborhood get-togethers inviting neighbors to celebrate the park and come lend a hand.

If you are interested in volunteering and getting involved, let us know! Email [email protected] or call 734-794-6445.

Volunteer in the parks

Looking to make an impact in a park or nature area? Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation provides volunteer opportunities for almost every interest, ability, and commitment level.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities

Park Finder

Discover parks and find amenities through the City of Ann Arbor Park Finder. This map allows you to search park names or search by amenity type or keyword.

View the Park Finder

A2Fix It - Service request tool

A2 Fix It is an online system you can use to report any maintenance issues or other problems during your park visit. When reporting an issue in a park please include detailed location information in the "details and description" section near the end of the request process. Pictures that provide location context are very helpful.

Submit a request