Lakewood Nature Area is a seven acre natural area on the west side of town, adjacent to Lakewood Elementary School and connected to Dolph Nature Area. View the Ann Arbor Parks & Nature Areas Map for location context. Although Lakewood Nature Area is somewhat small, it is connected to Lakewood Elementary's woods on the east and the expansive Dolph Nature Area on the west through which park visitors can continue their hikes. This area is fairly hilly, with several streams and ravines cutting through the park. The hills are blanketed by oak-hickory woodlands, with a rich understory of wildflowers. Lakewood is an excellent spot to observe migratory birds on their way through our area. Adjacent parks also contain woodlands plus several lakes and open areas.
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. – 11 p.m.
Amenities
The main access to this park is off of Sunnywood Drive, and there is parking on the street. The park can also be accessed by trails connecting to Dolph Nature Area which has a parking lot. The park's trails also connect to the adjacent Lakewood Elementary School.
The park can be accessed on foot and bike using the surrounding neighborhood streets. Sunnywood does not have sidewalks. Jackson Road, the major road north of the park, has a sidewalk but no bike lanes. There are no bike racks at the park.
The nearest bus stop is on Jackson Road at Parklake Avenue, about a 10 minute walk from the park entrance. Visit TheRide for closest stops 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.
Lakewood Nature Area was acquired by the City of Ann Arbor in 1969 from the Wagner Corporation. The property was ecologically valuable and included land connecting to the Second Sister Lake. Neighbors and the adjacent Lakewood Elementary School had advocated to keep this space as parkland rather than letting it be developed. Teachers at the school had been using the woods as a natural laboratory for teaching science.
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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