Thousands of kids came out to play on the lawn of the Michigan Capitol

LANSING — Thousands of kids from across Michigan laughed and played on the lawn of the Michigan Capitol Wednesday during the Michigan Recreation & Park Association's Come out & Play event, which returned after skipping 2023.

Talayah Owens, 20, a camp leader at Lansing's Parks and Recreation's Gier Community Center, said she felt nostalgic during the event because she was once a summer camp kid taking tours of the Capitol.

"It's a little different but memories still come back," Owens said.

The association known as mParks hosted kids from 24 parks and recreation departments' summer camps for its 10th annual event on the front lawn. The 2023 event had to be canceled because of poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.

In honor of National Parks and Recreation Month in July, the group hosts the annual event to focus on providing a safe space for kids to be themselves, learn leadership skills, be social, and try new things while schools are no longer in session, mParks Executive Director Nichole Fisher said.

"I think with mParks having a voice at the Capitol, it's to show our state leaders that Parks and Recreation does have a voice and it does have an impact in every community in the state of Michigan no matter where you are," she said.

Participating groups included Detroit Zoological Society, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Impression 5 Science Center, Lansing Police Department, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Potter Park Zoo and Woldumar Nature Association.

Soon after the event commenced at 10 a.m., the Capitol's lawn was buzzing with kids ready to explore. Among the 21 activities were gaga ball, disc golf, imaginary kayak trips, botanical sketching and a swim-themed relay race.

At a solar telescope table, Jersey Yorke, 9, a member of Roseville's RARE Summer Day Camp said she enjoys all the activities — though looking into telescopes is her favorite.

"It makes you calmer to have fun and takes your mind off your parents being at work," Jersey said.

Isabelle Tutt, 9, who also attended with Roseville's day camp group said she loves her summer camp, especially on pool days.

"If I wasn't here, I would be somewhere else with a babysitter and not doing anything fun," she said.

Contact Sarah Moore at SMoore@lsj.com