Exciting improvements are coming soon to Forsythe Park!

Forsythe Park is a 1/3-acre urban pocket park located on the southern edge of downtown at the corner of Packard Street and Arch Street. This well-loved green space serves as a convenient and inviting pass-through for students traveling to and from the University of Michigan’s main campus, while also offering a place to pause, relax, and enjoy the shade of its mature tree canopy. The park also features a half basketball court.

As part of the Five Corners Development, Core Spaces is generously donating labor and materials to transform and enhance this valued community space. The improvements were thoughtfully designed through a collaborative process with City Parks staff to create a more vibrant, functional, and welcoming park for all.

Scope

Planned improvements include:

• Replacement of all pavement throughout the park
• Installation of new site furnishings, including benches and picnic tables
• Replacement of failing retaining walls with new concrete seat walls, providing additional flexible seating
• Upgrades to lighting with new light pole fixtures
• Installation of a new drinking fountain
• Complete renovation of the half basketball court
• Removal of the existing poster kiosk at the corner of Arch Street and Packard Street
• Removal of the existing I-beam sculpture
• Preservation of existing shade trees, along with the addition of new shade and flowering trees

Cost

All park improvements are fully funded by Core Spaces as a donation, at no cost to the City of Ann Arbor.

The proposed design was presented for public comment to the City Park Advisory Commission (PAC) at its January 27, 2025 meeting.

PAC Presentation

During construction, anticipated from Mid-May through late Fall of 2026, Forsythe Park will be closed to the public. Pedestrian detours will be available via adjacent public sidewalks.

We’re appreciate the community’s patience during construction. We look forward to reopening the park and welcoming you back to enjoy the revitalized space.