Burns Park is a large 15 acre neighborhood park located just south of central Ann Arbor, with plenty of outdoor opportunities for everyone! View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. The Ann Arbor Senior Center is located within the park at the southeast corner and Burns Park Elementary School borders the park on its west side.
The park has a perimeter of shady trees, following the course of an old horse race track. This park has many amenities: baseball/softball fields, a basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, fields for soccer or football, a playground, a pétanque court, an enclosed shelter (view rental information), picnic tables, water fountains, and restrooms. There are 3 tennis courts and 2 dedicated pickleball courts. With its large fields, it hosts many Ann Arbor Rec and Ed sporting events.
The park is also home to two rain gardens: a small rain garden by the petanque court, and a larger rain garden surrounding the tennis and pickleball courts. During the winter, Burns has a pick-up location for a sand/salt mixture which is free for residents.
Park NoticesUnless 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
There is a parking lot by the Ann Arbor Senior Center with 4 designated handicapped spots and 25+ standard spots. There is a small parking area on the loop off Wells Street by the Warming Hut. Additional street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Refer to posted signage regarding parking rules and restrictions.
Burns Park is accessible on foot and by bike. Wells Street, Baldwin Avenue, Granger Avenue, and Olivia Avenue which enclose the park all have sidewalks but no dedicated bike lanes.
Nearby city parks include Crary Park and Postman's Rest Park, both about a 10-15 minute walk to the northeast. Eberbach Cultural Arts Building is a short walk to the west of Burns.
There are two bus stops at the intersection of Packard Street and Granger Avenue, within a 5 minute walk from the park. Visit TheRide for schedule and route details or check out the parks ride guide.
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.
In the late 1800's, the land that now comprises Burns Park was home to a ½ mile horse track, hosted by the Ann Arbor Driving Club until 1920. The oval of elm trees were planted on the horse track to provide shade to visitors. From 1890 - 1910, the area hosted the County fairgrounds and the trolley car barns. The trolley system's car barns for the Ann Arbor Street Railway were located between Lincoln and Olivia Streets from 1894 - 1925. A 'spectacular' fire destroyed the car barns, contributing to the end of the trolley era, already jeopardized by the increased number of automobiles.
Burns Park was purchased by the city in 1910 and named after botany professor George Burns, who pioneered the Ann Arbor parks system as well as Nichols Arboretum. The Warming Hut is located in the approximate spot of an 1800's log cabin; as it started to disintegrate, it was dismantled, and parts were saved by the city.
In 1921, the four acres of land on the western edge of the park were sold to the Ann Arbor Public schools. Construction on Tappan Junior High School began in 1923. The first students started here on February 2, 1925. In 1951 the historic building was rededicated to Burns Park Elementary School as Tappan moved into their new location on East Stadium Boulevard.
In 2020, the city began plans to renovate the Burns Park tennis courts and a public survey was hosted to gather feedback from the community. The survey results indicated that the community favored incorporating two designated pickleball courts. It was resurfaced in fall 2021, including three tennis courts and two designated pickleball courts.
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.
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.
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.
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