Frequently Asked Questions

Shelter Reservations                                                                                                                      top 
-Which shelters are Handicap Accessible or easily accessible by the elderly?
-What is the policy regarding the waiving of shelter fees?
-What is the policy regarding shelter fee refunds?
-Are musical instruments allowed? Is there any way around the Audio policy?
-Which shelters have electricity?
-How can I get into the park early to start my pig roaster?
-Can I reserve the soft ball diamonds, volleyball or horseshoe equipment?
Lake Lansing
-How far is Lake Lansing South from Lake Lansing North in walking distance?
-What kind of fish are in Lake Lansing?
Hawk Island
-Can I bring my dog/beer into the park?
-Is there a playground at Hawk Island?
-What kind of boat rentals do you offer at the park?
-Can I bring my own boat to Hawk Island?
General Information
-What is the policy on bringing grills to the park?   Dunk Tanks?
-Can we put a tent/canopy over the picnic tables?
-How often and what kind of fertilizers are used at the Parks?
-When was the last time you had problems with the water at any/all of the parks? How can I be sure that the water is safe for my children?
-How often are fish planted in the pond at Burchfield Park?
-How difficult are the ski trails?
-Where can I obtain mulch?
-When is "free day" at the different parks?
-Which parks allow alcohol?
-Do you need an ID to rent pedal boats?
-Can metal detectors be used at the parks?
-Can I use a mosquito fogger at the park when I reserve a picnic shelter?
-Is scuba diving at the parks allowed?
CANOES/KAYAKS/Rowboats & Pedal Boats
-How many canoes and kayaks do you have at Burchfield Park?
-How long are your canoes?
-What are the canoes used at Burchfield Park made of ?
-When are canoe trips or transportation available?
-Can I take my dog with me in the canoes?
-Can I bring my own canoe/kayak?  What's the charge?
-When does hourly canoe rental start and when does it end?   How late in the season can I canoe?
-How old do I have to be to rent a canoe or kayak?
-Where can I find information on canoeing elsewhere in Michigan?
-Where can I rent a pedal boat or rowboat?
-Who can rent a pedal boat or rowboat?
DOGS
-Where may I walk my dog at each park?
-Why can't I walk my dog at Lake Lansing Park - South and Hawk Island?
-Why can't my dog swim at Lake Lansing Park - South and Hawk Island?
Swimming Beaches
-What flotation devices are allowed in the water?
-When do the beaches open and close for the season?
-What are beach hours?
-How does bad weather affect the beach / Hawk Island Splash Pad?

 

Shelter Reservations

Q: Which shelters are Handicap Accessible or easily accessible by the elderly?

* Burchfield Park = Woodsong, North Bluff & Deer Run

* Hawk Island Park = All shelters: Kestrel, Peregrine, Red Tail

* Lake Lansing Park - South = Main Shelter

*Potter Park - Tiger Den #2 Shelter, Eagle Landing #3 Shelter

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Q: What is the policy regarding the waiving of shelter fees?

* Shelter fees may be waived for school groups and non-profit youth organizations during weekdays, Monday through Friday. 

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Q: What is the policy regarding shelter fee refunds?

* In the event a party wishes to cancel their reservation, notice of cancellation must be given no less than fourteen days prior to date of the event.   A $20 administrative fee will be withheld from all refunds.  No refunds will be made for reservations cancelled less than fourteen days prior to the event date. No refunds are given for inclement weather/rain.

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Q: Are musical instruments allowed? Is there any way around the Audio policy?

No person, group or organization using any shelter within any Ingham County Park, with or without having reserved or rented a shelter, shall use or operate any radio, musical instrument, phonograph, television, compact disc player, tape player or other machine or device that produces or reproduces sound or music, regardless of its audio volume, within, or within 150 feet of, any shelter, unless specific written permission has been obtained from the Ingham County Parks Department.   Such written permission shall be in the form of a County-approved Special Event Permit.

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Q: Which shelters have electricity?

* All shelters at all parks have electricity.  It is recommended no more than two appliances per reservation be used.  We cannot guarantee the dependability of the electricity beyond that limit.

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Q: How can I get into the park early to start my pig roaster?

* Arrangements must be made with the park manager.  In order to do this, please call the parks office at 676-2233 in advance.

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Q: Can I reserve the soft ball diamonds, volleyball or horseshoe equipment?

* No, volleyball and horseshoe equipment are available on a first-come, first-serve basis only, regardless of shelter reservation.  The softball diamond at Burchfield Park and Lake Lansing North may be reserved Monday-Friday ONLY.  Please call 517-676-2233 to reserve.  For organized leagues, or groups needing multiple dates, a Special Event Application will be required.

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Lake Lansing Parks

Q: How far is Lake Lansing South from Lake Lansing North in walking distance?
* Although you may wish to swim while at Lake Lansing North, it is advised that you drive your car to the swimming beach at Lake Lansing South.  The distance is 2 miles.

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Q: What kind of fish are in Lake Lansing?

* In Lake Lansing there are Bass, Bluegill and some Pike.

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Hawk Island Park
Q: Can I bring my dog/beer into the park?
* No, alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.  Dogs are not allowed at Hawk Island County Park, with the exception of the River Trail on the west side of the lake from Scott Woods to Cavanaugh Road and when walking your dog from the parking lot (the parking lot at the rear of the park) directly to the Soldan Dog Park.  All dogs must be on a 6 foot or less leash and under the immediate control of a responsible person.

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Q: Is there a playground at Hawk Island?
* A large community built creative playground was constructed in the spring of 2004.

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Q: What kind of boat rentals do you offer at the park?
* There are pedal boat rentals as well as rowboat rentals.  Boats are first-come, first-serve.

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Q: Can I bring my own boat to Hawk Island?
* Yes, at Hawk Island visitors can bring in their own water craft.  Motors are not allowed, except non-gas trolling motors.  Since there is no boat ramp, boats must be carried from the parking lot to the water.  Boats MUST stay OFF the island.

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General Information
Q: What is the policy on bringing grills to the park?   Dunk Tanks?
* Grills may be brought to the parks if the bottoms sits a minimum of 18" above the grass. NO Hibachis or anything that sits on the grass or any table are allowed in the park to ensure safety of all patrons.
* Dunk tanks are permitted, however, contacting park manager upon arrival is necessary and the water must be released in the parking lot in a manner not to cause any type of erosion to the parking lot.  The parks department also requests contacting the office prior to the reservation so that we may alert the park manager of what will be occurring.  Please call 517-676-2233.

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Q: Can we put a tent/canopy over the picnic tables?
* We ask pop up canopies only be used, and in order to prevent turf damage that stakes not be put into the ground.  Only one 10'x10' canopy per group is allowed.  Canopy not allowed in beach area or at the Hawk Island Splash Pad.

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Q: How often and what kind of fertilizers are used at the Parks?
* Once a year and once a month, depending on various factors.   The specific park manager can be contacted in regards to specific types.

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Q: When was the last time you had problems with the water at any/all of the parks? How can I be sure that the water is safe for my children?
* Summer of 1994 was the last time we had a problem, and we test the quality of the water during the summer season every week. 

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Q: How often are fish planted in the pond at Burchfield Park?

* Fish are planted a couple times throughout the Summer, starting in May. 

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Q: How difficult are the ski trails?

* Most trails are beginner level, however we have some advanced trails available.

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Q: Where can I obtain mulch?

* Road Commission, 517-676-9722

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Q: When is "free day" at the different parks?

* Free Day at Lake Lansing Park is Memorial Day.  Free Day at Hawk Island is the first Monday in August.  Free Day at Burchfield Park is Labor Day.  Entrance into the park, free boat rental, free boat launch fees are some of the perks of a Free Day, however, food and shelters are not free.


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Q: Which parks allow alcohol?

* Beer and wine is permitted, if in original containers of 2 liters or less at Burchfield, Baldwin and Lake Lansing Park - North.  Keg beer is prohibited in all parks.  Alcohol is prohibited at Lake Lansing Park - South, Hawk Island Park, Potter Park, and Potter Park Zoo.

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Q: Do you need an ID to rent pedal boats?
* Yes, a valid driver's license or state ID is required.

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Q: Can metal detectors be used at the parks?
* Metal detectors are allowed on the sand areas and water only.  Lifeguards must be present if a person goes in the water at Burchfield Park, Lake Lansing Park South, or the Hawk Island Park beaches.  All turf areas are off limits.  Metal detectors are allowed in a  playgrounds, volleyball courts, and parking lots.

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Q: Can I use a mosquito fogger at the park when I reserve a shelter?
*Yes, mosquito foggers are okay unless you are sharing the shelter with another party---you must ask the other group if it is okay before spraying. Mosquito foggers can be purchased at Menards, Lowes, Target, etc.

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Q: Is scuba diving at the parks allowed?
*Scuba diving at Lake Lansing South is allowed as long as you access the lake from a boat. Scuba diving will not be permitted starting from the beach area, divers must use a boat and access lake elsewhere.
At Hawk Island, scuba diving is prohibited.

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CANOES/KAYAKS/Rowboats & Pedal Boats
Q: How many canoes and kayaks do you have at Burchfield Park?
* 35 canoes, 12 single kayaks, and 8 double kayaks.

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Q: How long are your canoes?
*  16' 9"

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Q: What are the canoes used at Burchfield Park made of ?
* In-park rental canoes are made of plastic, whereas the canoes for trips are made of aluminum.

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Q: When are canoe trips or transportation available?
* River levels permitting, canoe trips are available everyday from mid-May to Labor Day and on weekends only in September.  In October trips are available on weekends by reservation only on weekends only.  Please call 517-676-2233 for more information.

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Q: Can I take my dog with me in the canoes? 
* You may take a dog in the canoe, he/she will count as one person out of three total. County vans will not transport dogs to a landing site.

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Q: Can I bring my own canoe/kayak?  What's the charge?
* No charge for in-park canoeing in which you start right at Burchfield Park and canoe upstream and then paddle back downstream; but for trips in which the Parks Department transports you and your watercraft by van there is a five dollar charge per boat transport.  You must also be part of a group that has reserved canoes.

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Q: When does hourly canoe rental start and when does it end?   How late in the season can I canoe?
* The season beginning and ending dates vary with the river's water level.  Contact the Parks Office for verification at 517-676-2233.

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Q: How old do I have to be to rent a canoe or kayak?
* Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied in the same boat by an adult 18 years or older.  Children 14-17 must be accompanied in the same boat or in an adjacent boat by an adult 18 years or older.

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Q: Where can I find information on canoeing elsewhere in Michigan?
* For a free directory of canoe liveries in the state, contact the Recreational Canoeing Association, PO Box 668, Indian River, MI   49749, (616) 238-7868.

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Q: Where can I rent a pedal boat or rowboat?
* Pedal boats can be rented at Hawk Island Park, Burchfield Park, and Lake Lansing Park-South.

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Q: Who can rent a pedal boat or rowboat?
* Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at Burchfield Park, Hawk Island, and Lake Lansing Park South. 

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DOGS - Must be on a 6' or less leash at all times
Q: Where may I walk my dog at each park?
* Burchfield - No dogs allowed at Riverbend Natural Area, allowed in Burchfield Park up to Deer Run Shelter, must keep pets off the swimming beach and out of the pond. Dogs allowed at picnic areas and ball field.
*McNamara Canoe Landing - Dogs are allowed on trails up to the cutoff point, signs are posted at this point, dogs are allowed in the pond at this area
* Hawk Island Park - No dogs allowed in the park with the exception of the River Trail on the west side of the lake from Scott Woods to Cavanaugh Road and when walking your dog from the parking lot directly to the Soldan Dog Park.  All dogs must be on a 6 foot or less leash and under the immediate control of a responsible person.
* Lake Lansing Park - South - No dogs allowed in the park
* Lake Lansing Boat Launch - No dogs allowed in the park
* Lake Lansing Park - North - Dogs are allowed in the park and on the trails, except when ski trails are open, signs will be posted
*** All dogs are welcome at Soldan Dog Park, Dansville Game Area, Hughes Lake & Rose Lake Game Area

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Q: Why can't I walk my dog at Lake Lansing Park - South and Hawk Island?
* In this park dogs are not allowed because of the beach and the abundance of people that occupy the park on a regular basis.

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Q: Why can't my dog swim at Lake Lansing Park - South and Hawk Island?
* Dogs are not allowed at Lake Lansing South or the boat launch due to the large number of visitors that come into this park and the visitors near the lake are barefoot and don't want to step in dog waste.  For sanitary reasons, we also prohibit swimming dogs.

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Swimming Beaches
Q: What flotation devices are allowed in the water?

* All flotation devices must be Coast Guard Approved for the following reasons:
- they are often used as a substitute for proper parental supervision
- they enable both swimmers and non-swimmers to reach water that is over their heads where an accidental drowning can occur
- improperly worn or fitted life jackets do not insure against drowning.
- the swimmer can become to dependent on the flotation device.

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Q: When do the beaches open and close for the season?
* Beaches officially open Memorial Day (including the Saturday and Sunday before the Monday Holiday) to Labor Day.

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Q: What are beach hours?
* Beach hours (weather permitting and when lifeguards are on duty, unless posted otherwise at the park) are 12:00pm to 8:00pm for Lake Lansing South and Hawk Island seven days a week; Burchfield Park is open 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays ONLY, the beach is closed for swimming or wading Monday-Friday.

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Q: How does bad weather affect the beach / Hawk Island Splash Pad?
*The beach will close if the following conditions arise: thunder-close for 30 minutes / lightning-close for 45 minutes.  Hawk Island Splash Pad is CLOSED and is non-operational when raining.

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