Burns Park is named after Professor George Burns who was the Ann Arbor Commissioner for a time. In 1910 the old fairgrounds, located here, were changed to a park and named in his honor. Before 1925, there were trolley barns here. In January 1925, they burned and this school building was built as Tappan Junior High. In 1951, Tappan moved and took its name with it. This building then took its name from the park. The school mascot is the penguin.

The Burns Park PTO is a nonprofit organized by the parents and teachers of Burns Park Elementary School. The mission of the PTO is to support the school and the school community by: arranging events that build community for Burns Park families; organizing enrichment activities for students; providing volunteer and financial support for teachers; publicizing school and classroom events, and raising funds to support these activities.

PTO fundraising helps provide a more enriched school experience for students and provides support to students and families that would not be available without additional financial support.

The Burns Park Run was started by the PTO as a 6th grade camp fundraiser in 1979. Over the years, the importance of the Burns Park Run fundraiser has increased with the growing activities of our PTO.

The Burns Park Run PTO Committee now consists of three co-directors and countless volunteers working throughout the year on planning, funding, promoting, and staffing the Burns Park Run.