Narrow Gauge Way Nature Area

Overview

Narrow Gauge Way is a 13.5 acre nature area located on the north​​east side of Ann Arbor, just south of the corner of Green Road and Glazier Way. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context.

​​Narrow Gauge Way Nature Area is one of a number of city park properties with no trails or amenities. These natural areas represent a unique recreation and conservation feature of the city’s park system. In these relatively few spaces across the city, off-trail exploration is encouraged– a rare opportunity to meander through a wild space in our urban context. Visitors are also invited to reflect on the conservation value and biodiversity of these spaces, where the Parks & Recreation’s Natural Area Preservation staff and volunteers work to steward, restore and inventory the natural communities throughout the city’s parks.​

​The diverse trees located throughout the area provide habitat for terrestrial wildlife including rabbits, deer, and squirrels. ​Just some of the many nati​ve plant species found here include oak, hickory, maple, sycamore, sassafras, basswood, and black walnut trees as well as ragwort, jack-in-the-pulpit, richweed, Christmas fern, and lopseed.​​ The creek that flows through Narrow Gauge Way is a small branch of Millers Creek, which is the steepest tributary to the Huron River in all of Ann Arbor! ​

Access and Parking

​There is limited street parking available on Narrow Gauge Way​, on the north side of the nature area​​.

The nature area is accessible on foot at two unmarked entry points: one where Narrow Gauge Way and Watersh​ed Court meet, and one where the west edge of the nature area property borders Green Road. For both access points, the incline down to the stream bed requires caution and steady footing. Once in the area, discernible footpaths can be found, especially along the streambed located in the northern end of the nature area.​

Public Transportation

The ne​a​rest bus stop is at the corner of Glazier Way and ​Bardstown Trail, which is about a half mile away and a 10-15 minute walk from the nature area. Visit TheRide​ for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide​​. ​​​​