Ann Arbor's Buhr Park Pool - Activity Review

Our Visit to Ann Arbor Buhr Park Pool

Our article was originally based on a visit to Buhr Park Pool in 2018. However, we are most familiar with Buhr Park. We used to visit Tot Splash when my teen was young. She swam on the Buhr Park Sharks swim team for several years, and has been a lifeguard at Buhr Park.

Buhr Park Tot Pool

The Tot Pool is open normal pool hours and during Tot Splash hours. This is the perfect spot for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It is a zero-depth entry wading pool with bubblers and spray features. They also have water toys for children to play with.

For 2024, Tot Splash moves earlier and is longer- 9a-noon Monday through Friday. They have also added a Sunday session from 9a-1p

Buhr Park Main Pool

The main pool at Buhr Park offers space for family fun and lap swimming. When we visited on Memorial Day, there were two lanes marked by lanes and dedicated for lap swimmers. The remainder of the main pool (4 lanes) was not divided and available for family fun.

During public swim, the pool typically closes to children for 10 minutes at the end of every hour during public swim. This allows some of the lifeguards to take a break. It also gives adults a chance to enjoy the pool alone for a few minutes.

Buhr Pool Deep End

The Deep End at Buhr Pool allows diving. During our visit, it was less crowded than the main pool area.

Ann Arbor Buhr Park Pool - Swimming in the Deep End

Children ages 12 and younger need to take a deep end test before swimming in the deep end. This test has to be taken each summer and is not transferrable between Ann Arbor pools. The deep end test is offered several times a day.

The deep end test has two parts:

Tread water for 1 minute.
Swim 50 yards – two lengths of the main pool using a front crawl (aka freestyle). Arms have to come out of the water.

Visiting Buhr Park Pool

Age Range

Buhr Park Pool is great for all ages. Their zero-entry Tot Pool is separate and a great place for toddlers and preschoolers. Older kids will enjoy the main pool and the deep end.

Getting to Buhr Park Pool

Buhr Park Pool is one of the Ann Arbor City Parks. The park’s address is 2751 Packard Road. The pool is located near the back of the park.

Follow the entrance drive past Cobblestone Farm on the right and the tennis courts and playground on the left. Go past the Cobblestone Farm parking lot on the right and around the curve. You will drive past the pool and ice arena and loop back to the parking lot.

The parking lot in front of the pool/ice arena is small and can reach capacity. Additional parking is available in a dirt lot at the end of the drive and in the Cobblestone Farms lot. The Cobblestone lot has some spots with shade from trees.

Buhr Pool Hours

Buhr Park Swim Hours change when school is in session and are different on weekdays vs weekends and holidays..

Weekends through September 2:
- Open Swimming: 1-8p
Mondays-Fridays (June 14-August 25):
- Tot Splash: 9a-noon
- Open Swimming: noon-8p
Mondays-Fridays (May 25-June 13 & August 26-30)
- Open Swimming: 4-8p

Fuller Park Pool opened for the season on May 12 and stays open until September 15.

Buhr Park Pool Prices

Buhr Park offers daily admission, and multi-visit punch pass. The season pass has not returned post-COVID.

Daily Admission rates (for a single 2 hour session) are:

Adult: $6
Youth (ages 4-17): $5
Child (3 & under): Free
Senior (age 60+): $5

Punch Passes:

10 visits – $40
25 visits – $100
50 visits – $187.50
100 visits – $350

Punch passes can be shared among family members. They are valid for one year at any of the City of Ann Arbor pools.

What to Bring

First, you’ll need the obvious swim gear (bathing suits, goggles, towels, and sunscreen). I also suggest bringing a water bottle. I definitely needed water while we were there.

There are pool chairs on the deck, and a few picnic tables. There is also a grassy area where you can set a blanket. Some of the chairs are shaded especially near the Tot Pool. Many of the chairs were occupied when we arrived, so we ended up in full sun.

I suggest bringing singles for the vending machines. While the pool closed for kids, my daughter visited the ice cream vending machine for a snack. There is also a beverage vending machine and a snack (candy, chips, etc) vending machine.

Ann Arbor Buhr Park Pool - Ice Cream Snack

Swim Lessons, Swim Team, & Summer Camp at Buhr Pool Ann Arbor

Buhr Park offers swim lessons on weekday mornings. Tot Splash happens during some of the lesson times. If you have multiple kids, they may be able to visit Tot Splash while their sibling is in lessons.

Starting in 2024, all Ann Arbor Parks are offering one swim team – The Octopods. Practices will be held each morning at each of the Ann Arbor City pools. When you register you will pick a location, time, and days of practice.

Buhr Park offers summer camp all summer long. Campers get to swim at the pool every day.

Other Pools & Places to Get Wet

Are you looking for more water fun this summer? Check out our master list of Places to Get Wet.

10 Places to Get Wet: Ann Arbor Swimming Pools

Or check out our lists of:

Buhr Park Tot Splash

Buhr Park offers Tot Splash on weekdays while Ann Arbor Public Schools is closed. At Tot Splash only the Tot Pool is open. There may be swim team practice or swim lessons happening in the main pool during Tot Splash.

Upcoming Tot Splash Events:

No Events

More Buhr Park Fun

Buhr Park also offers a fun playground. Check out our Buhr Park Playground Profile.

Buhr Park features a number of sports fields. There are tennis courts adjacent to the playground. Over the years, my daughter has played on the soccer fields and softball diamonds at Buhr Park.

In winter, Buhr has a covered outdoor ice arena for ice skating. The ice rink typically operates November-March.