Lloyd & Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve
Winding trails through hardwood forest buttonbush swamp and restored prairie fields.
4595 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, MI
Get Directions
Note: The entrance road to the small parking lot is easy to miss. It is just south of Pittsfield Township Lillie Park, and the lot is at the very end of the entrance road. Use the cell tower as a point of reference. Johnson Preserve is connected to Lillie Park. Parking at Lillie Park is also an option.
Get to Know Johnson Preserve
Prior to colonization, the land now known as Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve was covered by oak-hickory forest and swamp. When Mabel (Lewis) and Lloyd Johnson purchased the land in 1940, a portion was cultivated as farmland. In 2007, their foundation—the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundation—donated the land to Legacy Land Conservancy.
The 51 acres they donated included farmland, oak-hickory forest, and buttonbush swamp. In 2016, 15 of the 18 acres of farmland were converted into a restored prairie community. The remaining three acres were devoted to on-going projects managed through two community partnerships: one with Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and another with Project Grow.
Today, the buttonbush swamp remains nestled within the mature oak-hickory forest, the wetlands are an amphibian hot spot, and a diverse population of native grasses and wildflowers abound in the restored prairie. The Preserve adjoins Pittsfield Charter Township’s Lillie Park to the north, with an interconnected trail system for easy access to both areas.
PROJECT GROW COMMUNITY GARDEN
In partnership with Project Grow, these gardens serve as a place for Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti community members to grow their own fresh, organic food.
RESTORED PRAIRIE
In 2016 Legacy received funding through the federal Conservation Reserve Program to convert the farmland into prairie. From April to October, as you move along the trail, enjoy the stunning wildflower display.
PRAIRIE RESEARCH
A portion of the prairie is host to several on-site experiments in partnership with Eastern Michigan University. The research provides hands-on learning for students and will contribute to the science of regional grassland restoration.
WETLAND LIFE
As you loop around the wetland, you’ll find a healthy population of buttonbush. During warmer months, look for crayfish living in burrows—mounds of mud with a hole at the top. You may also see amphibians like the blue-spotted salamander or a gray tree frog.
Taking Care
Enjoy your time at the Preserve, but please be mindful of the plant, animal, and natural communities thriving in and around the land we have protected. The Preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Contact us if you are interested in visiting with groups of 12 or more, need to report an issue, or have a question.
What Can You Do at Johnson Preserve?
- Hike
- Bird Watch
- Take Photos
- Study Nature
- Walk Pets on Leash
- Cross Country Ski
- Forage
*Foraging of common species of mushroom, fruits, berries, and nuts is allowed. Collecting protected species and commercially harvesting any species is not allowed. Learn more.
Help Protect the Preserve
- No Bicycles
- No Littering, No Dumping
- No Smoking Fires or Fireworks
- Do Not Go Off the Trail
- No Camping
- No Motorized or Off-Road Vehicles (Required mobility devices are allowed.)
- No Construction of Forts, Benches, and Structures
- No Pets Off Leash (Bag and remove all waste.)
- Do Not Remove Native Plants, Animals, Rocks or Fallen Wood
- No Hunting, Trapping, or Firearm Use
- No Placement of Memorials or Items from Outside the Preserve