Ann Arbor is one of the most well-known cities in Michigan, but what most people don't know is that there's a hidden gem in the heart of the city that offers a unique experience to visitors and residents alike. Urban Oasis Ann Arbor is a nature reserve that's located in the downtown area, and it's a rare opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without ever leaving it.
The Urban Oasis is a product of the partnership between the city of Ann Arbor and the nonprofit organization, The Greenway Collaborative. The park was first conceptualized in 2014 as a way to turn a neglected site in the city center into a vibrant public space. The site chosen for the Urban Oasis was a former parking lot that was located near the corner of Liberty and Division Streets.
The vision for the Urban Oasis was to create a space that would provide a calming environment for visitors while also fostering biodiversity in the heart of the city. The park was designed to be a green oasis that would offer relief from the urban landscape, and it features a butterfly garden, aromatic herb garden, fruit orchard, apiary, meadow, and a rain garden that collects stormwater runoff.
The Urban Oasis has been thoughtfully designed to provide a serene and immersive experience to visitors. The park's landscape design includes curved pathways, softly swaying grasses, and a variety of plantings that create natural barriers and different spatial experiences. The park also includes benches, hammocks, and other seating options for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery.
One of the most notable features of the Urban Oasis is its butterfly garden. The garden is a favorite spot for visitors, and it's home to many types of butterflies, including monarchs, swallowtails, and fritillaries. The garden features a variety of native plants that have been selected for their ability to attract and sustain butterflies throughout the summer months.
Another feature of the Urban Oasis is its aromatic herb garden. The garden is designed to engage visitors' senses and includes herbs like lavender, rosemary, and mint. The scent of the herbs is carried on the breeze throughout the park, providing a sensory experience that's hard to find in an urban environment.
Urban green spaces like the Urban Oasis are increasingly important as our cities become denser and urbanization becomes more prevalent. In addition to providing a respite for visitors, green spaces such as parks and gardens can have a positive impact on the environment, wildlife, and community morale.
Studies have shown that green spaces can help to reduce air and water pollution, improve mental health and well-being, and provide habitat for urban wildlife. Green spaces can also help to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, which is the tendency for cities to be warmer than surrounding areas due to the concentration of buildings and pavement.
The Urban Oasis Ann Arbor is truly a hidden gem in Michigan's city center. The park provides a unique opportunity to escape the city while still being right in the heart of it. The park's thoughtful design and variety of features make it a destination for visitors and residents alike, and its importance as an urban green space cannot be overstated. If you're looking for a calming and immersive experience in the middle of the city, be sure to visit the Urban Oasis Ann Arbor.
