White Oak Park

White Oak Park is a small, charming neighborhood park located in the far northwest of Ann Arbor, Michigan, between White Oak Drive and Pin Oak Drive. Spanning three acres, the park offers a serene setting with its wooded natural area, making it a relaxing spot for visitors. The park is shaded by a canopy of trees during spring and summer, but even in the winter months, the branches provide partial cover.

The park’s main feature is a compact playground geared towards children under the age of five. This play structure includes slides (both a taller slide and a double racer slide), a steering wheel with a fire truck theme, and a tic-tac-toe spinner with a baseball motif. The area under the play equipment is surfaced with wooden mulch, ensuring safety for young visitors. While the equipment is functional, it tends to accumulate dirt, likely due to its shaded location.

White Oak Park also serves as a natural retreat, with its flora including species like deptford pink, curly dock, white vervain, Virginia knotweed, clearweed, and wood sorrel. Additional features include a grass path that connects the playground to the surrounding neighborhood sidewalks, benches, and a picnic table. However, visitors should note the absence of bathrooms, water play areas, and sports fields. The park is primarily intended for quiet enjoyment, ideal for families with small children or individuals looking for a shaded outdoor space.

The park can be accessed by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, with street parking available along White Oak Drive and Pin Oak Drive. The lack of bike racks and nearby bike lanes could be an inconvenience for cyclists, but a nearby bus stop offers additional accessibility options.