Maguire Park

Public Park at entrance to River Trail contains rain gardens and protected wetlands.

New City of Lansing park donated by Maguire family containing wetlands and abutting Sycamore Creek. Maguire Park's innovative design includes the addition of rain gardens and trees on what used to be lowlands used for dumping old concrete (which has been removed from the site during building of the park). Maguire Park serves as the new southern terminus of the Lansing's River Trail.

serf-seal
Location

1845 Aurelius Road, Lansing, Michigan

Owner

City of Lansing

Profile

Download Maguire Park Profile PDF

Lansing, Michigan, is home to a series of paved pathways that connect different parks throughout the Mid-Michigan area known as the River Trail. To date, the River Trail has 13 miles of trail ideal for walking, biking, and running. With generous donations and contributions from landowners throughout the area, the Lansing River Trail continues to grow and benefit the entire community.

Maguire Park Entrance Sign

At the Southern terminus of the Lansing River Trail sits the recently established Maguire Park. Using land donated to the City of Lansing by the Maguire Family in 2003, Maguire Park is the latest addition to the River Trail system. The park is connected to the rest of the River Trail by land donated by Kellie Dean of Dean Transportation. Dean’s SERF-certified transportation headquarters border Maguire Park to the north.

The Maguire Family owns a third-generation family business that was founded in Lansing in 1924. The family business soon grew to include Wolverine Development Corporation, Spartan Oil, and Bay Petroleum Corporations. Bruce II and Mary Jo Maguire and their four children, Bruce III, Joseph, Jill and John have been fundamental to the progress and expansion of the Lansing River Trail since its inception.

Maguire Park Playground

In 2003, the City of Lansing sought an easement to extend the path around the Maguire’s property at the intersection of Aurelius and Jolly Roads. Instead, the family chose to donate their entire 8.6-acres of property to the City of Lansing to lengthen the trails southern extension. This generous land donation was key to the formation of the park.

The property is now complete with plentiful recreational space, rain gardens, and a full-size parking area for families and nature enthusiast to jump on the trail. The rain gardens at Maguire Park further demonstrate the family and City’s knowledge and commitment to a sustainable environment. Rain gardens are areas within the landscape that are slightly depressed to allow for the collection and retention of rainwater. The Maguire Park rain gardens recover storm water to ensure it permeates into the water table instead of pooling on the surface or flooding the nearby creek.

Parks in urban areas create opportunities for nearby communities; new options for recreation make a population healthier and more active. Maguire Park brings families together to create a safe neighborhood environment and playground space. Maguire Park has attracted residents from surrounding neighborhoods that can now utilize the park and trails for biking, walking, and running.  The Lansing River Trail originated in the early 1970’s. During the path’s initial construction, the Maguire family gifted part of the land containing the intersection of the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers for the trail. Again, in 1983, they donated land and made contributions to extend the river trail from Kalamazoo Street to the Elm Park area (See Map).

Maguire Park Pedestrian Bridge

In addition, the parking area at Maguire Park is the starting point for the southernmost terminus of the River Trail. This attracts people from the surrounding areas; stimulating economic activity and growth to the South Lansing area. The ease of access to the parking area allows visitors to use the park and enjoy all the beauty of Maguire Park and the whole River Trail system.

For their generous gifts and active contributions to the planning of the southern extension of the River Trail, Joe Maguire and Kellie Dean jointly received the 2009 Michigan Recreation and Park Association Community Service Award and the Hometown Hero Award from Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. The Maguire family’s continued involvement  in the Lansing River Trail demonstrates their personal and professional commitment to local community development and sustainable land use practices.

The City of Lansing has worked together with the Maguire family for decades to expand and improve the Lansing River Trail. This partnership has resulted in greater recreational and economic activity for many areas of Lansing, and Maguire Park is only the newest step in this venture. The focus on local community development and sustainable land use demonstrate SERF’s mission of Practical Environmental Stewardship™.

For more information contact: Joe Maguire Wolverine Development Corporation (517) 337-8282; joe@wolverinedevelopment.com.