From splash pads and storybook trails to historic mills, playgrounds, and off-leash adventures, Washtenaw County is filled with outdoor gems for families and their dogs. We asked Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Director Meghan Bonfiglio to share the destinations she recommends most for kids, pets, and unforgettable days outdoors.
Nelson Meade County Farm Park
Few parks in Ann Arbor balance adventure for kids and outdoor enjoyment for pets quite like Nelson Meade County Farm Park. While many families know it for its beloved farm-themed playground, Washtenaw County Parks Director Meghan Bonfiglio says visitors are often surprised to discover Britton Woods, a high-quality natural area tucked into the park's highest point. In spring, trails wind through a woodland carpeted with wildflowers, including beautiful trillium blooms. "You just feel transported into this beautiful little wooded area," Bonfiglio says. To help protect this sensitive habitat, dogs are not permitted in Britton Woods, though they are welcome elsewhere in the park. For families, it offers the perfect blend of imaginative play, peaceful walks, and nature exploration.
washtenaw.org/421/County-Farm-Park
Rolling Hills County Park
If summer had a headquarters in Washtenaw County, it might be Rolling Hills County Park. Best known for its expansive water park, families flock here for everything from the zero-depth-entry wave pool and kiddie slides to Plunge Peak's twisting waterslides. But the fun doesn't end with summer. Each September, the park hosts its beloved Doggy Dip, inviting four-legged visitors to splash through the water park after the season closes. "It's just a blast," Bonfiglio says. Beyond the water, visitors can enjoy fishing piers, wooded trails, a 24-hole disc golf course, and countless opportunities to spend a full day outdoors together.
washtenaw.org/607/Rolling-Hills-County-Park
Independence Lake County Park
Tucked along the border of Washtenaw and Livingston counties, Independence Lake County Park is the kind of place families discover once and return to again and again. "Whenever people find it, they absolutely fall in love with it," Bonfiglio says. Set on the shores of Independence Lake, the park offers a beautiful beach, swimming area, boat rentals, fishing, trails, and the highly regarded Red Hawk Disc Golf Course. Younger children will love Blue Heron Bay, a spray park designed with tots in mind. And when winter arrives, families can trade swimsuits for snow boots, enjoying cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even a family-friendly ice fishing tournament.
washtenaw.org/424/independence-lake-park
Baker Woods Preserve
What if story time happened on a trail instead of a couch? At Baker Woods Preserve, families can experience the Chelsea District Library's beloved Storybook Trail, where a children's book unfolds across 13 to 15 stations along a wooded path. "It's really fun, and it changes seasonally," Bonfiglio says. The library updates the featured story quarterly, giving families a new reason to return throughout the year. Beyond the books, the 70-acre preserve offers a peaceful mix of forests and meadows perfect for exploring nature. To help protect the preserve's natural habitat, dogs are not permitted.
washtenaw.org/338/Baker-Woods-Preserve
Parker Mill County Park
Part history lesson, part outdoor adventure, Parker Mill County Park offers families a little bit of everything. The park is home to the historic Parker Mill, an 1873 grist mill whose original machinery remains intact and is open for public tours during select times of the year. "It's also your entry into the Border-to-Border Trail," Bonfiglio says. From the mill, visitors can explore miles of connected trails, including routes to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Along the way, families can wander the wooded banks of Fleming Creek, where curious kids often enjoy dipping their toes into the water and exploring nature up close.
washtenaw.org/602/Parker-Mill-County-Park
Swift Run Dog Park
For most dogs, every walk comes with a leash. At Swift Run Dog Park, freedom is part of the experience. This 10-acre off-leash park gives four-legged visitors plenty of room to run, explore, and socialize in a safe, fenced environment. Separate areas for large and small dogs ensure pups can play with companions their own size. "The dogs can be off leash, play with other dogs of the appropriate size, and be with fellow dog owners," Bonfiglio says. Operated jointly by Washtenaw County Parks and the City of Ann Arbor, Swift Run is a favorite destination for dogs and the people who love them.
washtenaw.org/704/Swift-Run-Dog-Park