Lansing’s Best Parks and Playgrounds: 48 Hidden Gems, Most Popular + Use our Map!

48 of the Best Parks that Will Make You Fall in Love with Lansing!

We’ve picked 48 must-visit parks and playgrounds in the Lansing area that we know your family will love. You know the type – where the minute your kids get in the car to leave, there’s no doubt they’re worn out from all the playing.

Make the most of the summer months and visit these places that have been tested time and time again.

Grab the sunscreen and a picnic lunch for a fun day of outdoor fun in Lansing.

These parks and playgrounds have met the standard of fun. Not just for babies, not just for big kids or adults, but these are parks the whole family will love!

Places like Frances Park, where a rose garden is tucked away in trails overlooking the Grand River or Burchfield Park where in the winter tubing not only gives us a workout from climbing up the hill, but has us all grinning ear to ear over hot cocoa at the end.

Best Parks in Greater Lansing by Location

Create a parks bucket list or try something new with the LFF team’s top pick list of 48 parks!

Location: City of Lansing Best Parks

Frances Park 2701 Moores River Dr, Lansing, Michigan 48911 This park is both a favorite and a hidden gem – the best-kept secret of our city! It has a rose garden, lookout point onto the Grand River water, two playgrounds, and a one-mile paved walking trail around the perimeter. Bring some bread along to feed the ducks if you’ve got extra time. Note: Frances Park, Frances Park Pavilion & the Rose Garden will be closed to reservations September 1 to October 15, 2023 for repaving project.

Granger Meadows Park  1745 Granger Meadows Ln, Lansing, MI 48906 Remember the Granger Meadows before it became a park? Now it’s a great space with paved trails, a large hill for sledding and airplane watching. It even has a disc golf course and playground.

Valley Farms Park/Community Center 16199 Brook Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 Home to a baseball diamond plus a great playground and climbing structure. My kids adoringly call this the “Spider Park” because of the rope climbing piece. Bonus – it’s connected to the Granger Meadows park trail and the hill mentioned above. Year-round you’ll find a story walk in the trails of these two parks.

Grand Woods 4500 Willow Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917 A hop, skip, and a jump from the Lansing Mall nests this woodsy park along the Grand River. It is home to a disc golf course, rolling trails, RC Track, and multiple playgrounds.

Delta Mills 7001 Old River Trail, Lansing, MI 48917 This park is crazy – in a good way. The playground is massive and the kids literally jump for joy when they see us pulling up to this parking lot. Pro Tip: You may want to go with a friend if you have a new baby in tow as this place is large and it can be hard to hunker down in one spot. Kids love to go up and down the hills to the top of the play structure. This playground connects to two adjoining parks.

Hawk Island Park 1601 E. Cavanaugh Rd. Lansing MI, 48910 This amazing location is not just a playground. It is home to the Dragon Boat Races in the fall, one of the best places to cool off in the summer, and a hot spot for sledding/tubing in the winter.  Their splash pad is fully fenced, and the lake and sandy beach are a blast to play in. Lifeguards are on duty to keep you feeling safe. The Lansing River Trail runs right through Hawk Island’s grounds.

Potter Park Zoo 1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 Located just outside of the zoo entrance, there’s an amazing playground with several play structures. The Lansing River Trail runs through this area and makes a great pit stop on a bike ride. Play here before or after a zoo trip or just stop by for the playground.

Moores Park 400 Moores River Drive Lansing, MI 48910 You’ll LOVE this park! Run around, play on multiple playgrounds, hop on the Lansing Riverfront Trail, launch your kayak, or go fishing all in one place.

Sharp Park 1401 Elmwood Rd, Lansing, MI 48917 Sharp Park has two fun playgrounds with a maze and a gorgeous pond where you can feed fish and ducks. Paved trails start across the street at the Delta Township District Library, run through Sharp Park, and lead all the way to the Lansing Mall, on to Kroger, and to Horrocks Farmers Market!

Crego Park 1600 Fidelity Road, Lansing, MI 48910 Crego Park is a relaxing and peaceful park with kayak and fishing pond/lake with beautiful paved trails feeding into the Lansing River Trail. FUN FACT: This area is a nesting site for Bald Eagles.

Rotary Park Downtown Lansing 305 City Market Dr, Lansing, MI 48912 Play in the sand in the middle of the city or just gaze at the beauty of downtown Lansing. Go at night and you’ll love the dreamy vibe of the lighted forest over the Lansing River Trail. This area is monitored by Lansing Parks and Rec who keep it clean and safe for families. Pro Tip: Grab food from Lansing Shuffle for a fun date night.

Brenke Fish Ladder and Park 216 E Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906 This downtown Lansing park shares a parking lot with Old Town and is a great place to start a nice walk or bike ride. Keep strolling down the trail and you’ll run into a playground. Take a few more steps and grab a bite to eat at the MP Social.

Riverpoint Park See the map below for the exact location. This hidden gem is located on the Lansing River Trail between downtown Lansing and REO Town. The lookout point sets you where two streams collide and the little park makes for a fun pit stop on a walk or bike ride.

Westside/Dunnebacke Park 1001 Stanley Street, Lansing, MI 48915 Another hidden gem – the cutest little park with a sandpit and stationary digging tools. It is home to a lovely community garden and is located down the street from Biggby at the point. We love to grab a quick coffee and head to this serene and quiet destination. There’s lots of space for kids to run around and a fun area where folks gather for horseshoe tournaments.

Woldumar Nature Center 5739 Old Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI 48917 Woldumar has a nature playground. You wouldn’t believe how much kids love this playground – almost more than most regular play structures. It’s so fun to play in the dirt and run around with logs and obstacle courses that it’s almost always hard to pull them away. But don’t worry – it’s worth it! The welcome center has fun scientific information to study and learn about + story times. Bonus: Woldumar has my favorite spot in the city located right in the middle of their trails. The large pines smell takes me to another world.

Hunter Park 1400 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48912 This park’s pool and playground make the list of go-to places in the summer. The community garden and greenhouse project is amazing and the pool is a dream (sometimes cold but a great way to cool down on really hot summer days). There is a splash pad and a large wade-in pool with a climbing wall.

Beacon Field at Ferris Park 417 N Walnut St, Lansing, MI 48933 This park has a free-to-the-public community-enclosed outdoor soccer field. This large park area is right in the heart of downtown and a great place to run around with the kiddos as well as play on their playground and have a picnic.

Schmidt Community Center – FitCore Extreme Playground 5825 Wise Road, Lansing 48911 The first of it’s kind in the Lansing-area, the FitCore Extreme Playground offers a challenging obstacle course-style layout that includes a peg bridge for enhancing upper body strength and an angled beam to aid in refining balance skills. This playground is an ideal destination for children who want to put their agility, strength, and balance to the test and enhance them.

Greater Lansing – East

Below is a list of parks for kids and parents to enjoy in East Lansing, Haslett, Williamston, Howell, etc.

Patriarche Park 960 Alton Street, East Lansing, MI 4882 Patriarche has been a go-to spot for many years and their recent updated epic playground built by the community is so much fun. Kids of all ages love this spacious park, and bonus: it’s totally fenced in.

Lake Lansing South Park 6260 East Lake Drive Haslett, MI 48840 This place has it all – beach and lake activities like swimming, boating, kayaking, and paddle boating, along with two large wood playgrounds and a big wheel track. Additionally, there’s a beautiful pier for fishing and park benches for enjoying the water views. Pro Tip: Pack a blanket and bug spray and stay for concerts in the park.

McCormick Park 128 E Riverside St, Williamston, MI 48895 McCormick Park boasts a huge wooden play structure that’s fun for all ages. Bring your bike or walking stick and take a little jaunt on their paved trail. Also, enjoy live performances in their amphitheater.

Location: Greater Lansing – WEST Best Parks

Parks both kids and parents adore in Grand Ledge, Portland, Charlotte, etc.

Fitzgerald Park 100 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 Home of The Ledges! Can you believe we have this in our own backyard? Don’t forget to stop by the fish ladder as well. This place is beautiful in every season and a real adventure for the kids. Play on the playground or hike through the trails.

Wacousta Dream Depot 2.0 9135 Herbison Rd, Eagle, MI 48822 Located at Wacousta Elementary School, this playground is now a destination spot for all families. This outrageously cool 6,000-square-foot park was created with kids in mind. Definitely a must-visit playground.

MOO-Ville Creamery 5875 S M-66, Nashville, MI 49073 They have a FREE playground! Playing outside + MOO-Ville ice cream. Need I say more?

Island Park 206 W River St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 You’ll love this unique park literally on an island right in the middle of downtown Grand Ledge. It’s a nice place to walk and rest.

Jaycee Park 525 E River St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 Home to a splash pad on the riverfront! Head over to cool off and play with other kids. This park and playground sit in downtown Grand Ledge and are within walking distance to the library and Island Park.

Joe Tichvon Park Carl St, Portland, MI 48875, see the map below for the exact location. A small-town park set in a quiet neighborhood. Be sure to pack your basketball and picnic lunch.

Alton Park 501 W Grand River, Portland, MI 48875 A nice sun-shade park and perfect for little ones that love to swing!

Location: Greater Lansing – NORTH Best Parks

Fun parks families play at for hours in DeWitt, Bath, Laingsburg, St. Johns, Owosso, etc.

Riverside Park 405 S Bridge St, DeWitt, MI 48820 Riverside Park is a fantastic destination for families with young children, featuring not just one, but three interconnected playgrounds. What’s more, one of the playgrounds is all-accessible, making it a great spot for kids with different abilities to play together. Situated within walking distance to downtown DeWitt, this park is an ideal stop for families looking to take a break and let their kids burn off some energy while exploring the charming town. Pro Tip: Stop by TIN CUP Cafe & Creamery for a cup of coffee after a long day at the park. NOTE: A new play structure will be installed in 2023.

Wiswasser Park 6499 Park Lake Rd, Bath, MI 48808-9718 This park is one of the BEST PARKS IN OUR AREA. It has a tall three-story playground and is right across the street from the swimming area on Park Lake and just a short walk to the delicious Park Lake Creamery.

Sleepy Hollow State Park 7835 E Price Rd, Laingsburg, MI 48848 The perfect place to get away for a day or overnight. Campgrounds, cabins, playgrounds, and all kinds of ways to explore await you and your family!

Uncle John’s Cider Mill 8614 North US 127, St. Johns, MI 48879 This is a family-favorite loved by all. They are open as soon as May and shut down very late in the fall. Pumpkins and cider are not even the main attraction for our kids; they LOVE the play structures, bounce houses, maze, games, huge bouncing pillow, hayrides, and snack shop.

St. Johns City Park/Spray Park 801 W Park St, St Johns, MI 48879 This park’s splash pad is a fantastic way to cool off in the summer, and their hill is great for sledding in the winter! Their classic wooden playground is nestled in the trees in the middle of a walking path. Fun Fact: This park is called “Fantasy Forest” by the locals.

West Park 11877 E Carson City Rd, Carson City, MI 48811 (M-57 at the Western Edge of Carson City, MI) Their paved walking trails and sweet wooden play structure are a blast! After you play, jump in the water for a swim or play all the other fun games and activities that surround the park, like disc golf and more.

McClintock Park 255 E McClintock, Laingsburg, MI 48848 See the map below for the exact location. This park has one small play structure, one large play structure + a skate park. It has plenty of green space for running around and is located in downtown Laingsburg. You’ll love this park! Bonus: This park shows movies on a big screen during the summer!

Bentley Park Playscape Corner of Stewart & Shiawassee Streets, Owosso, MI 48867 See the map below for the exact location. Bentley Park has something for everyone from the “train” play structure for your littlest engineers to the large play structure for your more adventurous kiddos. Enjoy the swings + much more!

Motz County Park 4630 N DeWitt Rd, St Johns, MI 48879 The sandy beach on a sun-shining day makes this FREE swimming spot a must-stop during the summer. Pro Tip: Bring an beach umbrella for shade.

Location: Greater Lansing – SOUTH Best Parks

Go-to parks families frequent in Holt, Eaton Rapids, Mason, Leslie, Jackson, etc.

Burchfield Park 881 Grovenburg Road Holt, MI 48842 This park is an absolute blast any time you go, but tubing in the winter months is what sets it over the top. You can rent tubes for $3 and run up and down those hills as many times as your feet can carry you. There’s a warming fire pit at each hill and indoor concessions. Summer is epic here at the beach as well.

Valhalla Park 2287 Pine Tree Rd, Holt, MI 48842 Delhi Township’s largest and most developed park, families adore this park for its huge playground, swimming lake, open fields, wooded area, and access to nature trails that hook up with the Lansing River Trail.

GAR Island Park 150 E Hamlin St, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 This park is a hidden gem, thanks to its unique old play structures and canon. The vintage feel of the park adds an exciting element for kids, making it a new and enjoyable experience for them.

Russell Park Locate on N Main St, Leslie, MI 49251 See the map below for the exact location. Set in downtown Leslie, this place is another throwback to the wooden play structure days.

Rayner Park 738 E Ash St, Mason, MI 48854 An expansive wooden play structure is available, and to add to the delight, there’s an ice cream parlor across the street.

Vevay Township Hall 780 Eden Rd, Mason, MI 48854 A nice play structure and swings are located across the street from Mason Jewett Airfield. If you have an airplane lover in the family, you can see tons of cool planes taking off and landing!

Hayes Park See the map below for the exact location. Mason’s largest city park, Hayes Park includes a huge play structure, lots of swings, tennis and basketball courts, plus much more.

Loomis Park 210 Gilbert Street, Jackson 49201 Between Edgewood & Gilbert St Enjoy the large community-built wooden play structure/playground.

Ella W. Sharp Park 3225 Fourth Street, Jackson, MI 49203 Home to Carter’s Corner Play Structure. Also, check out their Olympic size swimming pool, an eighteen-hole miniature golf course, disc course, and rose gardens.

Nixon Park 400 E North St, Jackson, MI 49202 (Corner of North & Cooper Streets) This park is so cool! Their waterpark and skate park make it fun for both young and older kids. Also make sure to check out the swimming pool, skateboard, and rollerblade areas.

Cascades Falls and Splash Pad 1401 S Brown St, Jackson, MI 49203 This is such a beautiful spot to hang because of the gorgeous tranquil grounds where you can watch the falls and play in the splash pad.

Lansing’s Best Parks Map

Fun awaits at these 48 fantastic parks in Lansing!

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