The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Centennial Playground is located within Gallup Park. The playground is an accessible and inclusive environment. Children of all ages and abilities can develop and play together. The play features offer the chance to develop skills like coordination, balance, and strength, and also offer positive sensory experiences. The park is also great for caregivers with disabilities who will have the chance to engage, supervise and play with their children.
The playground has an overall theme that invites children to enter a fairy world. It is divided into three distinct play areas that represent different types of nature environments found in this region of Michigan. All of these areas are designed to support individuals of all abilities as they play and explore with family and friends. Each area is connected via a combination of sidewalks, accessible topography changes and ramps. This gives all access to all areas of the playground for everyone.
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 Hours6 a.m. – Midnight |
Amenities
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The first region that visitors will encounter is the Woodlands. This area is designed for children aged two to five. It is designed to introduce them to fairy world at their level. This area features the Mushroom House, an OmniSpin Spinner, and sand area. These features are great for motor skills, sensory input, and balance. The OmniSpin Spinner and sand area are mobility device accessible.
An updated version of the traditional merry-go-round, the OmniSpin Spinner is designed so that children using wheeled mobility devices can transfer or be transferred out of their devices and enjoy the rotation of a merry-go-round experience.
The next region visitors will experience is the River Region. This area includes some changes of elevation that create some unique play opportunities. Features include the Sway Fun, a play structure, climbers, stepping stones and more. The Sway Fun and play structure are both mobility device accessible. This area is great for building motor coordination, upper body strength, and balance. There are also a variety of textures for children to touch and enjoy.
The Sway Fun has been customized to look like a Fairy Boat. The placement of the table in this element is key component of its design, this creates an opportunity for children using wheelchair to actively participate in creating movement of the Sway Fun.
The final area of the fairy world is the Prairie Region. It includes the Oodle Swing and the We-Saw which are covered with a unique shade structure to keep all cool. Other features include play panels, areas to play pretend, play structure and a periscope to look out over the water and park. This area is great for building cooperation, the imagination, and to engage kids' senses. Many parts of this area are accessible to those who use mobility devices.
The Oodle Swing is designed to encourage social play while swinging. A child can easily transfer from a mobility device into the Oodle Swing. Its shape allows children to sit or lay together in different ways while providing support. The Oodle Swing’s larger size also allows adults and children to swing together.
The We-Saw provides children with movement up and down in space. Children can find the “just right” movement experience by sitting in the molded seats or on the center platform.
There are four parking areas: one at the main entrance off Fuller Road, two past that lot within the park along the park drive, and one further southeast on Geddes Road. Parking gets tight on beautiful summer days due to livery visitors and shelter rentals/ events at Gallup. Be sure to plan ahead and prepare to walk or allow time to reach your final destination or meeting place! There is overflow parking located across the street at Huron High School. If you want to add a 15 minute scenic walk to your Gallup visit, consider parking at Furstenberg Nature Area, 2626 Fuller Rd, where you can park and walk via boardwalk to Gallup while enjoying the oak-hickory forest and savanna.
Gallup Park is accessible by bicycle and on foot via the Border-to-Border (B2B) trail, which goes all the way through the length of park, connecting to Dixboro Road and Parker Mill Park on the east, and Nichols Arboretum and Fuller Park on the west. Gallup connects with Furstenberg Nature Area on the west.
There is a bus stop located at Geddes and Huron Parkway, just a three minute walk to the Gallup boat/kayak rental office. 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.
The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living helped provide input for the design.
Funding for the Universal Access Playground (UAP) was provided by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Michigan DNR State of Michigan DNR Trust Fund and the City Of Ann Arbor - Government Ann Arbor Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage.
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.
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.
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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