Fuller Park

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Overview

Fuller Park​ is a 60-acre recreation area located on Fuller Road and Maiden Lane near the center of Ann Arbor. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map​ for location context. The park contains athletic fields, public restrooms and Fuller Park Pool​, a outdoor 50 meter pool with a ​​waterslide (see aerial photo​). The Huron River forms the perimeter of the park. There is a pedestrian bridge connection to Island Park. The park is part of a trail network connecting it to Island Park and Cedar Bend Nature Area. ​Be sure to explore a lesser known trail that travels between the Huron River and the athletic ​fields. ​You can also access the B2B Trail from Fuller Park, which runs through the park​. The play area was designed and built by the community and is one of the largest in the City. There are picnic tables located near the play area, and parking both at the park and across Fuller Road. An accessible asphalt path connects to the play area and pool facilities. The park is home to the GIVE 365 volunteer program,​ which facilitates volunteer activities in the Ann Arbor park system. There are five athletic fields behind the pool, and one field west of the dirt parking lot.​

Field Rental

Use of the Fuller athletic fields require a paid park permit. Five of the fields are fenced in while one is not. Fields can be used for many sports such as soccer, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee. For more information or to reserve a field, contact the Parks Customer Service office at 734.794.6230.

​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

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Drinking Fountain

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Playground

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Restrooms

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Fuller Park Pool

 

Athletic Fields

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Picnic Tables​​

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Tra​ils

 

Parking​​​​​​​​

 

Compost, Landfill & Recycling Bins​​​


 
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Access and Parking

The main park parking lot is off Fuller Road. During the pool's off season, several lots are rented to the University of Michigan for weekday parking. There is always a row of designated 4 hour park use only parking spots directly in front of the playground.  Be sure to check signage as it is updated seasonally. 

The park is accessible on foot and bicycle via sidewalks along Fuller Road and the B2B Trail​. There are bike racks in the park. There is a pedestrian bridge connecting the park to Island Park which then connects to Cedar Bend Nature Area​.

Public Transportation

There are bus stops along the park on Fuller Road. There is a stop next to the parking lots and pool facility. Visit TheRide​ for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide​.​


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History

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

The Fuller Park property dates back to a 1907 acquisition with 10 more property deeds being added in 1926-1931. More property was added in 1955 and 1980-81 to give us the Fuller Park boundaries we have today.​  Fuller Park was the site of the city's first municipal golf course. The course was​ known as the "Rock Pile" from the 1930s through the 1960s. Seven holes of golf which the City maintained were on University of Michigan land east of the river. This was part of a land use lease agreement. ​

In 1938, this photo from the golf course shows the golf course 'starting house' and the University hospital across the street.  Another picture from the Ann Arbor District Library shows golfers playing the​ course. Over the years, many have played a round at the 'rock pile', a course that required travel over the Huron River (south of Fuller Road). View the bridge that connected the course over the river here or after lots of rain, the high waters of the Huron.  You can see the golf course and the bridge in this ​​1947 aerial photograph. 

Longtime resident Don Simons was hired as an 11 year old in 1954 to pick up newspapers and clean the toilets​​. He made 40 cents an hour getting a dime​ raise the next year. Plus, "they gave me hotdogs and chocolate milk for free".  You can listen to the entire interview here.​

In the 1960s, the City Junior Tournament was played at the Municipal Golf course.  View a 1964 picture of the juniors starting. The Ann Arbor District Library has some photos​ as well: "Setting Up The Tee" and "Hitting For The Green".  

In 1961, Eli Gallup retires to end a 42-year career as the parks superintendent. You can see him here standing on a green at the Municipal Golf Course​

Voters in April of 1966 had approved a $900,000 bond issue for three swimming pools and ice rinks at Fuller Park, Buhr Park​ and Veterans Memorial Park. With this bond, plans fo​r a pool and rink at Fuller Park were started. 

In 1967, the City was notified that the University of Michigan was looking to end its lease agreement. The city planned to reduce the golf c​ourse to 9 holes and add swimming, ice skating​ and tennis on the city owned land. This site plan shows the proposed swimming pool-ice rink complex. In 1968, the Fuller Pool final design is OK'd by council.  

In February of 1969, Betty Jane Wilson presents achievement ribbons to Ice-Skating Winners.

In 1972, Richard Blake receives award for saving boy's life at Fuller Pool. 

In 1974, the golf course is grown over and plans for soccer fields​ are in the works. 

In 1981, the Fuller Pool solar idea​ is pursued to demonstrate​ that "solar heating of domestic hot water is feasible". 

The Mixer Playground structure, dedicated to Scott and Sally Mixer, was designed and built by volunteers in the community. It was designed to be accessible for children​ with ​disabilities. It was constructed​ and opened in 1989 and is one of the largest playgrounds in the city.


Recent Developments

Updates recent years such as new stucco on the pool buildings, field renovations, irrigation and pool equipment have been done​.  You can visit the park archives​ for more information. 

UV filters were added to the​ swimming pool for the 2021 season. 

A solar power installation was added to the parking lot in spring 2024, along with EV chargers for 6 vehicles.



Active Adopters

​The University of Michigan Lions Club started helping out at Fuller Park in 2023, coming out to two workdays.



If you're interested in adopting a section of Fuller Park, another park, or proposing a creative park improvement, email [email protected] or call 734-794-6445.

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