Sylvan Park

Swift Run Creek Bridge Closure - No Access to Natural Area From Margaret Drive

The walking bridge across Swift Run creek that provides access from the main entrance on Margaret Drive to the fields and walking trails is closed. In 2022, an engineer's assessment revealed that the bridge was no longer structurally safe. A new bridge is being designed, and as this work involves the creek, a permit from the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will be necessary. Over the summer of 2023, soil borings were taken of the creek banks, in order to properly design the bridge. Staff hope to have the new bridge open in late 2024, after going through the proper design and permitting process. The trails and natural area can be accessed from Burton Road on the south side of the park.

Overview

Sylvan Park is a 12 acre park, including 5 acres of oak-hickory forest, located at the southeast corner of Ann Arbor near Washtenaw Avenue and US-23. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. Yost Boulevard divides the park into two parcels. All of the activities and walking trails are located on the east parcel. There is a park map at the Margaret Drive park entrance, where a paved walking path leads to the tennis court and playground space. Further south there is an open field between homes and Swift Run Creek. The paved path ends at a wooden bridge taking you over Swift Run Creek. A natural foot path leads into Sylvan Woods. Before reaching the path through Sylvan woods, a picnic hill provides two picnic areas with a picnic table and charcoal grill. Sylvan Park provides the mix of open park space and natural areas, all in the midst of neighborhoods and highway exchanges.

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. – 10 p.m.

Amenities

Unpaved Trail

Playground

Grills

Picnic Tables

Tennis Court

Landfill Bin

Access and Parking

Street parking is available at the main entrance on Margaret Drive. There are also access points into the park off of Eli Drive and Burton Road. The southern portion of the park property that follows the Swift Run creek does not have designated access points. The southern portion can be accessed by following the creek.

The park can be accessed on foot and bicycle using the surrounding neighborhood streets. There are sidewalks but no dedicated bike lanes. There are no bike racks at the park.

Public Transportation

There are bus stops on both sides of Washtenaw Avenue that are near the park. The nearest bus stops are on Washtenaw at Pittsfield Boulevard, less than a 10 minute walk from the park. Visit TheRide for schedule and route details or check out the parks ride guide.

Park Maps

Open the Park Tracker - See your location while in the park Open the Park Finder - Discover more Ann Arbor parks

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.

In June 1960, the City of Ann Arbor Development Committee approved the plats of Pittsfield Hills Subdivision. At the same time, the city accepted the outlots A, B, and D (3 acres) for a park and playground. 1.07 additional acres were added in 1961.

In 1970, Ann Arbor reached an agreement to purchase the Sylvan Woods area in the Forest Brooke subdivision for $25,000. Due to the significance of its preservation, residents of the Sylvan Woods area pledged $10,461 towards the purchase price.

To read more about Sylan Park, view the Natural Area Preservation (NAP) Newsletter feature article from 2018, Park Focus: Sylvan Park by Chris Robey.

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