Swimming Beach & Splash Pad® Information

Our beaches at Burchfield Park, Hawk Island, and Lake Lansing Park South are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend weather permitting (hours vary by park, see below).  The Hawk Island Splash Pad® is open 9:00am to 8:00pm, weather permitting, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.  Please note there is a vehicle entrance fee to enter Ingham County Parks.

Waterfront Safety Rules  
Please note that footballs (or any type of ball), Frisbees, inflatable toys, inflatable tubes, inflatable life jackets, noodles, or any other type of inflatable/flotation device are all prohibited in the swim/beach area at Hawk Island, Burchfield Park, and Lake Lansing Park South (with the exception of Coast Guard approved life jackets). 

Children 3 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water; children 4-7 must have an adult either in the water or in the sand area if the child stays between the sidewalk and first buoy line (2 1/2' marker); or children 4-7 must be accompanied by an adult beyond the first buoy line (deep end); and children 8-11 must be under the supervision of an adult (from the beach area).

Can I take a flotation device into the water?  Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are allowed in the water.  All flotation devices must be Coast Guard approved for the following reasons:  1. they are often used as a substitute for proper parental supervision; 2. they enable both swimmers and non-swimmers to reach water that is over their heads where an accidental drowning can occur; 3. improperly worn or fitted life jackets do not insure against drowning; 4. the swimmer can become dependent on the flotation device; 5. inflatable toys can impede the vision of the lifeguard.

Can I play Frisbee or catch in the water?  Balls and Frisbees are not allowed in the swim/beach area.  If these items hit other people in the water they could knock a small child unconscious and create an environment for a possible drowning.

Burchfield Park Beach

Featured in this 540 acres of scenic woods and trails is a swimming beach located just 8 miles from downtown Lansing.  Along with a swimming beach, Burchfield Park also has a bath house.  The beach at Burchfield Park is open only on weekends (Saturday and Sundays) and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.  The beach is only open when weather permits and lifeguards are on duty.  The beach is closed for swimming or wading Monday-Friday due to budget cuts.  For weekday swimming at Your Ingham County Parks, please visit Hawk Island in Lansing or Lake Lansing Park South in Haslett. Or, contact Delhi Parks and Recreation for hours of operation and more information on the swimming beach at Valhalla Park in Holt at 517-694-1549.

Hawk Island Beach

Located in Lansing and boasts a 30-acre lake, including a sandy beach, bath house, and Splash Pad®. Hawk Island also has a handicap accessible asphalt path encompassing the entire lake that is perfect for a leisurely stroll along the lake.  The beach at Hawk Island is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 12:00pm to 8:00pm seven days a week. The beach is only open when weather permits and lifeguards are on duty.

Hawk Island Splash Pad®

The Splash Pad® is open Memorial Day through Labor Day 9:00am to 8:00pm weather permitting and is free of charge.  If it rains, the Splash Pad® is non-operational.  Click HERE for pictures of the Splash Pad®.

The Splash Pad® at Hawk Island is a zero depth water park with fifteen features to spray, splash, and dump a blast of refreshing cool water! The Splash Pad® utilizes clean, treated water the whole family will enjoy.  The variety of splash features offers something for every one of all size and ages.  The Splash Pad®, located adjacent to the beach house, offers lounge chairs and chaise lounges for adults to relax while the kids enjoy themselves.  Large shade kites surround the Splash Pad® for those really hot days. Grab your suit and a towel and we will see you at Ingham County’s newest water attraction!

Because the Splash Pad® is unsupervised, children under 12 should have adult supervision. No running or climbing on spray structures, no food, drink, or glass containers, diaper changing in restrooms only, swim diapers required, no age limit, proper attire required, water shoes are recommended.

Lake Lansing Park South Beach

Take a swim on a hot summer at Lake Lansing Park South.  The park has a sandy beach, bath house, and snack bar and is only 7 miles from downtown Lansing located in Haslett.  The beach at Lake Lansing Park South is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 12:00pm to 8:00pm seven days a week. The beach is only open when weather permits and lifeguards are on duty.