Public fitness park opens along Lansing River Trail

WEDNESDAY, July 29 — An outdoor fitness park on the Lansing River Trail is now open.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced today the installation of public exercise equipment (including a bike, stair-stepper, hand cycle and chest press) north of Rotary Park downtown. The “FitLot,” as it’s called, is funded through a grant in recognition of AARP’s 60th anniversary.

“This couldn’t have happened without our partners at the state of Michigan who worked under a tight deadline to ensure that all permitting was in place prior to construction even in the midst of this pandemic,” Schor said in a press release.

Although gyms remain closed or have moved programming outdoors in Michigan, most municipalities — including Ingham County — have allowed for playground equipment to reopen. Residents are still asked to maintain a six-foot distance. CDC guidelines also suggest that shared equipment, like at the new FitLot in Lansing, should be regularly sanitized between uses.

AARP also plans to offer public programming at the park, according to the press release.