Lansing’s parks and river trail are still open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Usage could begin increasing, as Spring arrives.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor is encouraging use of the city’s parks while continuing to practice the social distancing people are becoming accustomed to.
The city’s 16-mile-long River Trail isn’t limited to Lansing residents. Terri Kuhn took a walk on the trail with two sons and their dog. “We figured it was probably one of the safest options to get out, some fresh air, and kind of have a distance from people on the walk," Kuhn states. "It was a nice day, before the rain moved in.”
Nathan and Chelsea Stout live near the River Trail in downtown Lansing. They took a walk with their young children, part of what’s become a routine for them while spending lots of time at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. Nathan Stout explains “we’ll work out in the morning, and then we’re going out for walks around lunch." Chelsea Stout says their kids need to get outside, saying "they need the air, they need to burn off some energy so that they’re not so cooped up, just taking advantage of the river walk and all this out here.”
The River Trail also connects with several neighboring communities. The trail and the parks in Lansing are open to the public from dawn to dusk.