City staff explores Barton Nature Area for potential park development

The Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Commission convened on March 18, 2025, to discuss various initiatives aimed at enhancing local park properties. One of the key topics was the potential development of an underutilized area east of the Barton Dam, which is part of the Barton Nature Area.

During the meeting, a proposal was presented to explore the feasibility of utilizing this property, which currently serves primarily as access to the dam. The discussion highlighted the opportunity to enhance the park's offerings and better serve the community. Following the presentation, city staff engaged with internal departments to assess the initial feasibility of the project.

A significant point raised during the discussions was the importance of determining whether there were any major obstacles to moving forward with the proposal. The commission emphasized that if there were definitive reasons against the project, it would be prudent to halt further exploration at this stage.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue evaluating the potential of the Barton Nature Area, with further updates expected in future sessions. The commission remains focused on improving park accessibility and utilization for the benefit of the Ann Arbor community.