Saline Parks Commission

10/02/2026

The Parks Commission is seeking volunteers to help remove a stand of Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) at Peoples Park on October 19 at 8am. Closed-toe shoes, loppers, and gloves will be required.

This species of fast-growing tree is highly invasive and rapidly spreads through high seed production and root sprouting. It is also the host plant of the invasive Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), which has recently been found in Michigan.

Wondering if you might have a Tree-of-heaven in your yard? Mature trees resemble Black Walnut trees but have noticeable differences: Tree-of-heaven has smooth bark and a single terminal leaflet, while most black walnut trees have dark, rigid bark and two leaflets at the tip of their leaves. If in doubt, give leaves a smell test. Tree-of-heaven, even young trees, tend to smell like rancid peanut butter.

09/27/2026

Don't forget!
The Parks Commission is still collecting feedback about the ROMP playground at Mill Pond Park. If you haven't already, please complete the survey to help inform decisions about what the future of ROMP should look like.
https://forms.gle/vhQN7XxBTqd5skbx9

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09/16/2026

We would like to thank the Saline Arts and Culture Commission and Girl Scout Troop 40180 for their incredible effort replacing the Little Free Libraries at Brecon, Mill Pond, Tefft, and Risdon Parks. These new libraries were built with durable materials that will last for many years to come.

08/13/2026

We have already received great feedback about the ROMP structure, but we want to make sure everyone's voice is heard. If you haven't already, please fill out our public survey form and tell us your thoughts!
https://forms.gle/ErCuHNP5xuxzX8Fs8

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19BZ1rr28a/

08/06/2026

As part of our Mill Pond Visioning Plan, we want to hear from you!
If you are a user of the ROMP playground or have the potential to be, the Parks Commission would like to hear your thoughts on what aspects of the structure you like or would llike improved. Results from this survey will help the Commssion as it prepares recommendations to the City for the future of the structure.

Please provide your feedback here: https://forms.gle/UeojxawpLVRsUTGw5

07/29/2026

Please join us at Mill Pond Park on August 8th at 10:30am for a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the new Saline River Valley Trail.
Bring your self-powered bikes, strollers, or scooters for a parade around the trail loop!

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We are giving our new Saline River Valley Trail the grand opening it deserves next weekend with a ribbon cutting and parade!

So bring your (self-powered) bike, scooter, roller blades, strollers, legs and wheelchairs to Mill Pond Park on Saturday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. to join us in officially opening the trail!

07/07/2026

Last night a group of young park stewards came together at Wilderness Park to clean up the trails after the big storm that rolled through last weekend. In attendance was both Cubscout pack 3464, led by Jeff Gamble, and Boy Scout Troop 446, led by Jeff Gamble and Kranthi Bandaru. The troops moved branches and debris off the trails to make them passable for park visitors. On behalf of the Saline Parks Commission and the City of Saline, we want to thank the troop leaders, scouts and their families for their continued efforts in keeping our local parks safe and enjoyable for all!

07/06/2026

New photo monitoring tool to track seasonal changes at Mill Pond Park!

If you’ve recently visited Mill Pond Park to explore the new Saline River Valley Trail, you may have noticed an unassuming wooden post by the bench just south of the dog park. This post is a Chronolog photo station that was purchased by the Parks Commission with funding provided by the Saline CARES grant. The platform features a rigid bracket designed to hold cellphones and allows park visitors to capture photos of a fixed location over time. Chronolog offers an opportunity for park visitors to participate in citizen science by capturing photos over time to monitor changes in water levels, wildlife, and seasonal vegetation. The Chronolog station at Mill Pond Park is set up to capture a view of the shoreline facing North.

How it works: After taking a photo using the mount, the user then uploads their photo using the QR code provided on the photo station. It is then logged as part of a series of photos taken by other photographers and integrated into a timelapse video of the spot. This video can be viewed on our public Chronolog webpage https://chronolog.io/site/SPC101. A link will also be available on the Mill Pond Park webpage.

06/23/2026

The library begins its Storytime in the Park series today at 6:30pm at Risdon Park. Stop by with your little one to enjoy the beautiful weather and a good book!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17WsffC6MN/

Our first Story Time in the Parks of the summer is tomorrow!

We hope you'll join us and our friends from the Saline District Library for stories, movement, songs and fun at Risdon Park at 6:30 p.m.

This is a free program for the community to join in, no registration necessary. Just bring your own chair or blanket to sit on.

06/19/2026

Don't forget!

Nominations for the 2026 Green Thumb Award are currently open until August 31st.
Please nominate your friends, neighbors, and local businesses or organizations.

Gardens must be within the City of Saline limits and can fit into one of three categories:

Beautification - Residential: Look for use of color, creative design and any type of garden that is eye catching.

Native/Sustainable - Residential: Look for use of plants native to Michigan, plants that benefit pollinators and other wildlife, and/or sustainable garden practices (i.e. no herbicide/pesticide use; incorporation of rain gardens, rain barrels, and other water-saving methods)

Businesses & Organizations

If there is a garden you would like to nominate, please fill out the following nomination form
https://forms.gle/T17LgL6C2RUxdHMR6

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