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TOP stays at Ingalls Mall

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is pleased to announce that Top of the Park activities will continue to remain at Ingalls Mall, the site of its temporary location since 2006.  Initially relocated due to a two-year rehabilitation project to its longtime home at the Fletcher Street Parking Structure, the event will continue to be produced at Ingalls Mall, located directly in front of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies on Washington Street near the Burton Memorial Tower.

One of Ann Arbor’s favorite community celebrations, Top of the Park is the admission-free outdoor music and movie series produced by the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.  Soon after moving to Ingalls Mall in 2006, Festival organizers along with University and City officials quickly discovered that the change in venue created a more social and family-friendly atmosphere for the 24-night event.  The grass and trees provided a true park-like setting where attendees could spread blankets across the lawn, sit under shaded trees, and mingle with friends and neighbors throughout the Festival grounds. 

“We were quite overwhelmed by the community’s positive response to our being at Ingalls Mall,” remarked Festival Director Robb Woulfe.  “In making our decision to stay, we felt that the greener, more open space provided us an opportunity to grow our event through new outdoor programs and expanded artistic offerings, similar to last year’s lawn performances by Strange Fruit.  There’s just so much more potential at this beautiful location.”

The once-temporary relocation has not been without its financial challenges.  To support the initial move, the Festival launched a special multi-year fund raising effort in 2006 in the hopes of receiving broad support from individuals and corporations alike.  The first two years of the Festival’s relocation campaign were met with much success, with funds being used to help offset the additional expense of onsite generators, an inflatable movie screen, extra security and more labor.  As the Festival moves forward with settling into the Ingalls Mall site, the organization plans to invest in some capital equipment with the belief that its annual incremental operating costs will be significantly reduced as a result of one-time purchase of its rentals.

Although some of the costs are anticipated to decrease, the expense of producing Top of the Park, regardless of its location, requires ongoing support from the entire community.  “Investing in new equipment, new structures, and improved facilities will enrich the concert-going experience at Ingalls Mall,” said Woulfe.  “In order to facilitate these improvements, as well as sustain the resources required to produce three weeks of admission-free entertainment, we need to have continued support from those who enjoy the event.”

In addition to managing production and operational costs, the Festival will soon be reviewing how to improve the overall patron experience at Ingalls Mall by revisiting the site layout, pedestrian traffic flow, sightline issues, and environmental logistics.   The Festival also notes that maintaining a safe and secure event continues to be a priority for staff and law enforcement officials.

The Festival credits the support of both the University and the City for facilitating the move, and helping make certain the event becomes better than ever. It also credits landscape architect firm JJR on helping create the original relocation strategy.