Neighborhood Parks

Things have thawed, which is nice, but it's still so soggy. We might have gotten more enjoyment from the parks we visited in March if we had visited them in warmer and drier weather. So last month we thought we'd steer clear of woodlands and wetlands and stick to neighorbood parks. We travelled to the west (by northwest) side of town to a couple of mostly unfamiliar neighborhoods and explored five more readily accessible Ann Arbor city parks:

1. Creal. Nice and pleasant -- and typical of the city's smaller, semi-concealed neighborhood parks. It offers two play structures -- one small, the other miniature. Most notable was a surprisingly real-seeming (if tiny) race car.

2. Garden Homes. This surprisingly large and interesting park bisects a peaceful community of modest homes situated on generous lots. It contains a densely wooded section that offers paved and well-lit walkways for easy strolling. And it's a hilly place, with an assortment of elevation changes and nifty views.

3. Kelly. This small and relatively unremarkable park backs up to the Abbot School greenbelt and playground. A good place to give your child a healthy push on a swing.

4. Hollywood. Access this undeveloped woodlands area off Sequoia Way, just a block west of Abbot school.

5. Evergreen. The coolest park of the day. Rustic and largely hidden from view, it's only accessible via a network of winding gravel roads. Though Dexter and Jackson roads -- as well as I-94 -- are fairly close by, once you're walking this park's squiggly narrow paths you don't even know you're in the city