A Walk in the Park is an ongoing series from State Journal photographer Nick King, who intends to explore Lansing area parks one hour at a time. If you have a suggestion of a park he should visit, email him at nking@lsj.com.
Riverside Park sits quietly on the south shoreline of the Grand River, just west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, providing a peaceful pocket of nature in the city.
The 6-acre park, located at 1248 Moores River Dr. in Lansing, delivers plenty of open green space ideal for relaxed strolls and shaded picnics beneath mature trees. Natural mowed-grass trails wind through thick shrubs and forest, with gentle hills to traverse while offering views of the river and chances to spot local wildlife.
Points along the shore provide scenic overlooks of the Grand River, with vistas looking east toward downtown Lansing. The Boji Tower and Eckert Power Station smokestacks stand out on the horizon. Fishing access proves challenging due to the dense vegetation and trees lining the banks. Anglers might want to go elsewhere.
The park’s name was officially granted in 1942, though locals had called the green space Riverside Park for years. It represents another piece of J.H. Moores’ vision for a continuous chain of parks along the Grand River. The early 20th-century lumber and real estate baron helped shape Lansing’s park system through land donations that created Moores and Frances parks as well.
There are no bathrooms are available on site. Street parking can be found on neighboring side streets, and leashed dogs are welcome.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: A Walk in the Park: Lansing’s Riverside Park has trails, Grand River views
Reporting by Nick King, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Nick King, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
