A dedication ceremony for the Mary Beth Doyle Park and Wetland Preserve (formerly Brown Park) will be held on Sunday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at the Birch Hollow entrance (off Stone School Road). The public is invited to the event, which will include music from the “Friends of Mary Beth Band,” brief comments from the participating governments, light refreshments, and a tour of the park.

Mary Beth Doyle was a leading environmental activist before her untimely death in 2004. “Mary Beth was a prominent voice at the local, state, and national levels for environmental health protections, a leader of successful campaigns to help communities defend themselves against toxic threats across Michigan, and a champion of measures to save green space and parks in Ann Arbor,” said Mike Garfield, Director of the Ecology Center, where Ms. Doyle worked for twelve years. “Mary Beth had legions of friends, found humor even under stress, and would always dance as if no one were watching!” The new Mary Beth Doyle Park, with the blend of recreation and environmental purpose, is a fitting tribute to her legacy.

The drainage and wetland features represent a cooperative effort between local governmental agencies to combine recreation and improved stormwater quality. Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner Janis Bobrin worked closely with the City of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to obtain grants to assist with the design and construction of the new 15-acre Wetland Preserve, located in the northwest portion of Doyle Park.

The 80-acre Mary Beth Doyle Park encompasses beautiful parkland providing many recreational opportunities. A new play structure, swings, picnic tables, a basketball court, and a redesigned disc golf course will be available for public use later this summer. An asphalt bike and pedestrian path connects the four park entrances and activity areas. Additional unpaved trails run along Mallets Creek and through the wooded areas. The newly-created Wetland Preserve is designed to help reduce flooding and improve water quality within Malletts Creek and provides opportunities for wildlife viewing throughout the year. 

For more information, visit the Mary Beth Doyle Project Website, which includes updates from project manager Harry Sheehan.