Best Public Parks in Lansing

Hawk Island County Park is a 100-acre park situated on Cavanaugh Road, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Aurelius Road, in South Lansing. It is the latest park in the system. Long-time residents remember the Sablain Gravel Pit location, which has been changed into a beautiful park featuring natural planting areas. Hawk Island provides a swimming beach, picnic areas, shelters, paved accessible walkways, and fishing docks. Dogs are permitted at Hawk Island except in the area between the playground and the concession stand, which comprises the beach and Splash Pad area. All dogs must be on a 6-foot or less leash. You can warm up and take a break in the warming lodge. Hawk Island County Park is the perfect place to enjoy yourself with your family members.

Grand Woods Park is a 128-acre park located on the Grand River. The park is designed to be a family-oriented facility, and it was leased by Delta Township from Lansing City for a thirty-year term in 1984. Grand Woods Park amenities include a picnic shelter, pavilion, playground equipment, fishing pond, nature trail, softball field, one grass volleyball court, frisbee golf course, radio-controlled race car track, restrooms, and drinking water. The park also features volleyball courts, gardens, jogging and bike riding paths, shelters, stone benches, fountains, restrooms, ducks, swings, a museum, slides, waterfalls, hiking trails, ponds, an aquatic center, statues, green space areas, trees, monuments, sports facilities, and designated dog parking areas.

Frances Park is known for its beautiful rose garden, which features 155 varieties of roses and is regularly recognized by the All-American Rose Selections organization. The park's pavilion can accommodate approximately 280 people and has 6 groups of tables and chairs outdoors, with each group capable of holding up to 10 people. Frances Park also offers a large open field that can be rented for events or meetings, with the option to bring in additional chairs if needed. The park's amenities include kids' playgrounds, monuments, playing equipment, slides, event areas, designated dog parking, tables, statues, hiking trails, fountains, walking trails, gardens, shelters, trees, jogging paths, green spaces, volleyball courts, bike riding paths, and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk in the park while listening to the chirping of birds.