Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

08/28/2026

This Foodie Friday, it's not a dream... it's Real Life Sandwich Co.!

Real Life Sandwich Co. is back for Foodie Fridays!

It’s no dream… it’s real life! Grab a yummy sandwich and fresh fries for a picnic at County Farm Park this Friday, August 28. Perfect for lunch or dinner, Real Life Sandwich Co will be here from 11am-7pm, or until the truck sells out.

08/26/2026

It's (almost) story time at historical Parker Mill!

Stop by Parker Mill's famed cabin on Thursday, August 27, for stories, exploration, and play. Inspired by history, nature, and seasonal traditions, this week's story hour will feature the tale of the Little Red Hen as she grows, grinds, and griddles buckwheat pancakes. Story hour begins at 10:30am!

Want more Parker Mill lore and fun? Check out the fall events coming to Parker Mill in the comment below ⬇️

08/26/2026

Wanting to try something new?

The Folk Fest 2026 is less than a month out. Check out what the Michigan Folk School is all about with this free event!

08/25/2026

Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour October 10, 9am-12:30pm

Visit two neighboring sixth-generation farms to learn about their poultry and conventional crop operations and tour their facilities. Hear why protecting these two farms contributes to a larger vision of connected greenways that support wildlife and improve water quality.

Hike through natural landscapes otherwise unavailable to the public and view ecosystems that are becoming increasingly rare, including a prairie fen and tamarack swamp.

Learn about Washtenaw County’s rich agricultural heritage and how your community works to protect its values as pressure from development grows.
Light snacks and refreshments provided.

Event by the Washtenaw County Conservation Collection: Legacy Land Conservancy, Ann Arbor Greenbelt, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, Huron River Watershed Council, River Raisin Watershed Council, and WCPARC

Locations:
Doll Farm (9am - 10:30am, Sylvan Township)
Irwin Farm (11am - 12:30pm, Sharon Township)

Photos of Doll Farm. Early 1900s, and 2014

08/20/2026

The Sniffing Out Invasive Species workshop is happening tomorrow at Lyndon Township Hall in Chelsea!

🐕Learn how our furry friends can help detect invasive species!🐶

We're one week out from this free workshop at Lyndon Township Hall in Chelsea! Community partners will demonstrate how dogs sniff out the invasive spotted lanternfly, along with removal techniques for the invasive tree of heaven.

Thank you to Washtenaw County Conservation District, Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, Forest to MI Faucet for putting on this awesome event!

Can't make this event? Mi Folk School has a Noses for Nature Conservation Detection Dog class coming up on September 2! Check out the Michigan Folk School link in our Linktree!

08/19/2026

The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center is looking for an instructor for their water aerobics program. Email [email protected] if you're interested in teaching in their newly upgraded space!

08/18/2026

Naturalist Notes: Monarch Mania by Shawn

If you are noticing more monarch butterflies this year, you may be right! It seems the warm, somewhat wet summer has been kind to these spectacular orange and black insects. A population rebound would be a welcome sight, as overwintering numbers have declined by 80% since the 1990s. While the milkweed is done blooming, the caterpillars are still eating and growing. They will emerge as the super-generation, which lives up to 8 months and flies up to 3,000 miles to overwinter in central Mexico.

Want to learn more about monarch butterflies and other pollinators? Check out Shawn's upcoming Milkweed Community family program at West Lake County Preserve on Saturday, September 26! Use our Nature Hikes and Programs link in our Linktree to register!

Then, on Monday, September 28, there's a BioBlitz happening at the Freeman Environmental Education Center! Stay tuned for more information.

📸 credit - photos 1 and 4 by Shawn, photos 2 and 3 by Photo Ambassador Julie

08/14/2026

We're about a month out from Folk Fest at Mi Folk School!

Have a folksy good time with us on September 19!