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Lansing urges for renewal of millage for parks

Courtesy lansingmi.gov

Lansing is asking voters to approve renewal of the city’s parks millage on Tuesday.

Lansing operates 111 parks, many with playgrounds, along with 16 miles of River Trail.

Lansing Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske says usage of city parks has increased during the pandemic.

“Parks are used for our physical health and our physical well-being," said Kaschinske. "I think during this pandemic, we have seen how parks are used for our mental health.”

If approved, the Lansing parks millage would renew a levy of one mill per year over five years, starting next July 1st. Voters have approved the millage without fail since 1990.

Kaschinske says along with funding capital improvements to the parks, the millage helps secure matching grant money at the federal, state and county levels.

Lansing is currently offering an online survey to gather public input on their five-year plan for city parks.