Lansing Riverfront

Since 2017, the Community Foundation’s strategic leadership initiatives have focused on riverfront placemaking, including Rotary Park, Play Michigan! all-access playground, and Fish Ladder Music Park. A vibrant riverfront helps build community, strengthens our downtown, and attracts and retains a talented workforce.

In 2025, community leaders and Community Foundation stakeholders shared candid feedback with interviewers from Capitol Fundraising Associates about the Foundation, downtown Lansing, and the future of placemaking on the riverfront. In addition, 349 residents completed an anonymous survey conducted by the Foundation, providing feedback on our riverfront projects and what they think should happen next. 

What we learned is shaping the Community Foundation’s strategic direction on the downtown Lansing riverfront through 2028.

1. Activation 

The Community Foundation hired a Riverfront Operations Manager to plan and produce events at Fish Ladder Music Park, Rotary Park, and Play Michigan! all-access playground.

LansingRiverfront.org (coming soon) is the place to find out what’s happening on the downtown Lansing riverfront.

LansingRiverfront.org will connect the community to live music, festivals, movie nights, and wellness experiences along downtown Lansing’s riverfront. Our goal is to create a vibrant riverfront that engages our diverse community – a place where we all want to live, work and visit. 

LansingRiverfront.org will go live in spring 2026 and will be overseen by the Capital Region Community Foundation.  

To schedule an event on the riverfront, contact Jon Herrmann, Riverfront Operations Manager at jherrmann@ourcommunity.org.

2. Safety

Safety of our downtown riverfront is a top priority. The Community Foundation is partnering with the Lansing Police Department, communicating any needs and concerns, and investing in security measures to help keep the downtown riverfront safe.

3. Maintenance

We all want a clean, well-groomed riverfront! The Community Foundation is partnering with the City of Lansing’s Parks and Recreation Department to improve maintenance of the downtown Lansing riverfront, especially Rotary Park, Play Michigan! all-access playground, and Fish Ladder Music Park. In addition to providing extra funds for maintenance, the Foundation’s Riverfront Operations Manager keeps watch over the riverfront and alerts City workers when care is needed.

The downtown Lansing riverfront is one of our region’s greatest assets. With regular events and consistent care for these spaces, our riverfront will grow as a destination for community life and economic growth.