Needles, broken glass, trash worry Hunter Park patrons

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Broken alcohol bottles, drug wrappers, and overflowing trash are on the list of community concerns for Hunter Park. Hunter Park’s pool and splash pad have been busy this summer, but people have taken to social media to express concern about the park and the surrounding area.

“[Almost] everywhere there is to sit here, there’s trash,” said Fred Christopherson, who walks the trail often. He says sometimes the conditions are concerning.

Visitors told 6 News there are often large parties at night, leaving behind things that may be dangerous for families.

“That’s sad because, you know, there’s kids that rely on these parks,” said City Council member Ryan Kost.

Kost says community members have raised concerns about used needles scattered throughout the park.

“Our children walk through here,” he continued. “Seniors walk through here. I walk through here and sometimes it’s hard to see that needle on the ground.”

Some people are frustrated with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, but others say a lot of the responsibility is on the community.

“Granted, the ideal would be for people to be more responsible,” said Christopherson.

“When you have 111 parks, when you have 2,000 acres of park land, you need that investment from the community because people love their parks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske.

Kaschinske says one of the easiest ways to make the parks safer is to continue to use them.

“The more individuals that you have on the trails [and] in the parks, the safer the parks,” said Kaschinske.

Ryan Kost says there’s always more that can be done —and suggests things like more trash cans, cameras, and street lights.

“There’s always, unfortunately, issues that take place in parks,” continued Kaschinske. “But, Lansing Parks and Recreation is a strong parks and recreation system.”

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