EXPLORE OUTDOOR DIMONDALE
PARK ENHANCEMENTS AND TRAIL ADVENTURES
By Teresa Miller
Pack your picnic basket, lace up your hiking boots, grab your paddle, and embark on a journey to Dimondale, a place where nature, community, and adventure converge in perfect harmony. Escape the bustle of the city of Lansing or Delhi Township, and take a short trip south on Creyts Road or west on Holt Road to this small hamlet with a lot to offer. If you’re a nature enthusiast, a family looking for a weekend escape, or someone seeking a charming community atmosphere, Dimondale delivers enjoyable parks, an attractive downtown, and easy access to the Grand River.
Experience Tranquility and New Amenities at Danford Island Park
One of the most attractive outdoor spaces in Dimondale is Danford Island Park located at the end of Washington Street. Nestled along the Grand River, visitors can enjoy a handicap accessible fishing pier, a canoe launch, picnic areas, and a bridge over the river that leads you to an enchanting island which also boasts a walking trail. This 0.5 mile loop trail is considered an easy hike and takes about nine minutes to complete. While it is a popular trail, you may experience some solitude during less busy times of day.
An attractive addition to Dimondale’s Danford Island Park is the Danford Park Gazebo that invites community gatherings and events. Newly constructed in the fall of 2023, Denis Prisk, Dimondale Village Manager and the Village Council prioritized the gazebo project and park improvements, after the projects were put on hold during the pandemic.
“The gazebo is a culmination of years of fundraising by the Home Culture Club, supplemented by a notably generous donation from resident Rosie Swart,” said Prisk. “A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Spring 2024.”
Surrounded by stately trees and with a backdrop of the Grand River, the 18 foot x 18 foot gazebo is a focal point where residents and visitors can come together to celebrate, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. Whether holding a summer concert or a winter holiday celebration, the gazebo is a symbol of community spirit and shared joy.
Committed to further enhancing the visitor experience at Danford Park and with grant assistance from the Michigan Depart of Natural Resources , the Village of Dimondale also added modern, accessible restrooms in the fall of 2023. Also, in partnership with Dorothy Hull Library, the village was able to install three solar WiFi benches and charging stations throughout the Village of Dimondale, one of which is located at Danford Island Park.
All these recent enhancements implemented in 2023 help to ensure a pleasurable experience for park visitors, transforming Danford Island Park into a welcoming destination suitable for families, picnickers, hikers, and paddlers alike.
River Recreation and Downtown Dining
Concerning paddlers, Danford Island Park is a popular launch site and part of the Middle Grand River Heritage Water Trail. River-goers can explore the Grand River from Eaton Rapids to Lyons along an 87 mile stretch.
For a shorter stretch of paddling, kayaks and canoes can be rented from a nearby livery, Dimondale Canoe and Kayak, that delivers you to Danford Island Park. Then you can paddle downstream back to the livery in just 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the speed of the current. This is just one option available for canoe and kayak rentals in the greater Lansing area. River tubes are also available for rental at the livery and other locations.
Whether you’re paddling upstream or leisurely floating down the Grand River, Dimondale is a pleasant place to stop along the way. Its downtown restaurants and shops are in easy walking distance from Danford Island Park. Stop in for breakfast and baked goods at Morninglory Cafe & Bakery, have lunch and ice cream at Village Ice Cream & Cafe, drink and dine at Nico’s Bar & Grill, or sample craft beer and sandwiches at Dimes Brewhouse.
Dimondale seamlessly blends outdoor recreation with the charm of its downtown district, providing a well-rounded experience. Two other parks located close to downtown Dimondale are also worth exploring.
Enjoy Basketball or Pickleball at Pocket Park
Closest to downtown, is Pocket Park tucked in at the corner of Jefferson and Bridge streets. Here, Dimondale has embraced the growing popularity of pickleball and is expanding its basketball court in 2024. Pickleball is an easy-to-learn paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s a sport that is accessible to people of all ages and skill levels, making it an attractive recreational activity.
“As part of the American Recovery Act, we received funding and are using some of it at Pocket Park for a new basketball and pickleball court; the area needs to be extended three feet,” Prisk said. “The court will be extended to the sidewalk as part of the project.”
As an added convenience, if you’re between pickleball matches or games of one-on-one basketball and need to charge your phone or connect to the internet, nearby is a WiFI bench with a solar powered charging station.
To learn more visit the Dimondale Pickleball Society’s Facebook page (facebook.com/DimondalePickleballSociety).
Have More Fun at Lions Park
Located less than a half mile from downtown, also along the picturesque Grand River at 304 West Jefferson Street, is Dimondale Lions Community Park. The park features include a pavilion, three charming picnic shelters, grilling stations, a popular fishing spot, horseshoe pits, and a delightful playground. There is a WiFi bench and solar powered charging station near the playground as well.
For those seeking a perfect venue for gatherings or events, the Lions Community Park pavilion is available for rent from May through October. Please note that the restroom facilities are exclusively accessible for rentals, ensuring a private and comfortable experience for park-goers during their events.
For more information about the pavilion rental, contact the Village of Dimondale at 517-646-0230 or visit its website at www.VillageofDimondale.org.
Outdoor Art is Part of the Experience
Public art sculptures are enriching, cultural elements in a community that foster a sense of belonging and shared experience among residents and visitors. To facilitate the installation of public art in Dimondale, the Village Council approved an ordinance in 2020 to create an arts council. The council, chaired by Camron Gnass, has been successful in commissioning two public art sculptures to date.
The first, installed along the river at Danford Island Park in June of 2022, is a sculpture by artist Richard Tanner titled The River (Runs Through Us). Drawing inspiration from his fond memories of fishing in Dimondale and the smallmouth bass he used to catch, Tanner seamlessly blended river-found rocks and metal to create this piece.
The second, installed in September 2022, is titled Bridge Between Banks by artist Ivan Iler. This piece adorns the corner of Pocket Park. Crafted from multiple layers of corten steel, the trees and bridge within the artwork transform as one moves around it, paying homage to a scene from the community captured in a photograph from 1907.
“These sculptures were made possible not only by the hard work of long-term volunteers on the Dimondale Arts Council, but also from donations from community members,” Prisk said. “Rosie Swart, a long time resident, and Nathan Fox, from Foxscapes lawn and landscaping, were among the donors.”
Future Trail Connections
To maximize the potential of outdoor recreation and attract regional tourism to Dimondale, there are plans in the works to connect the Danford Island Park trail to the trail systems throughout the greater Lansing area. Working with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the village hopes to be a part of a regional plan for non-motorized trails within Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton Counties.
According to Jim Snell, Executive Director with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the eventual goal of the project is overall growth of the trail system and to connect the existing Lansing River Trail system with statewide trails that pass through the three counties.
“We are in the process of determining the trails that would be in the first tier of feasibility, which includes the ease of which the next project can be implemented,” said Snell. “The hope is that the next trail project will fit in with the road improvement projects in the area that are slated for 2025.”
However, the larger project includes 85 miles of proposed regional multi-use trails in the Tri-County region. The three trail systems include the Fred Meijer/CIS Trail in Clinton County, the Paul Henry Trail in southwestern Eaton County, and the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail in Ingham County.
The contract for trails routing and early preliminary engineering and planning will be awarded in early 2024 with work not slated to begin until 2026.
“Because of local support, how well organized they are, and with only 2.5 miles to go to hook up with Holt, Holt and Dimondale are by far the furthest along,” Snell said. “But, there is a long road ahead.”
Connecting the trails, and making it easier to access all the parks, trails, and water features in our region, would significantly contribute to establishing Dimondale, Holt and all of the Greater Lansing area as an attractive location for residents and recreation enthusiasts. To learn more about the trails plan visit www.mitcrpc.org/trails.
Make Dimondale Your Next Destination
Discover Dimondale, a hidden gem with intriguing parks and where the Grand River provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor entertainment and an adventure all its own. Continue your adventure by exploring Dimondale’s charming downtown, where a variety of dining options await. Dimondale is a community that invites you to enjoy the beauty and warmth that define this small town and picturesque corner of Michigan.
What’s to Do in Dimondale?
Besides enjoying boundless recreational activities in one of its well appointed parks, an adventure on the Grand River, or dining and shopping downtown? Well, there’s even more to do in Dimondale!
Food & Entertainment
Comedy at the Creek & Country Creek Reception Hall, 5859 N Michigan Rd, Dimondale. Country Creek hosts several events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/countrycreekreceptionhall
Enjoy Live Music and Open Mic Nights, Dimes Brewhouse, 145 N Bridge St, Dimondale. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/DimesBrewhouse
Weekly Karaoke Bingo, Trivia Night and Specials, Nico’s Pub and Grill, 117 S Bridge St, Dimondale. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/nicospub
The Village Ice Cream & Café, 251 S Bridge St, Dimondale, is now open year-round. Their schedule is new this year, with new ownership. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/villageicecreamandcafe
Dimondale Farmers’ Market, Thursdays, June through October (June – September 3pm-7pm, October 3pm-6pm), 136 N Bridge St, Dimondale, in the Village Square. Unique vendors and local food. Accepts Project Fresh, Market Fresh, SNAP, and Double Up.
Other
Rick’s Family Barbershop, now the oldest business in the Village at 33 years old, is a great place for an old-fashioned Barbershop experience. Open 8am-6pm, Tuesday – Friday.
Capital Area Harley Davidson at 9550 Woodlane Dr, Dimondale hosts several events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/Capitolhd
Enjoy book discussions, educational programs, and themed events at the Dorothy Hull Library, 405 W Jefferson St, Dimondale. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/DorothyHullLibrary
For more events and happenings in and around Dimondale including craft shows, Danford Island Jam, the Dimondale Car Show, Small Business Saturday events, and holiday celebrations, follow the Dimondale Business Association at
facebook.com/DiscoverDimondale and the Village of Dimondale at facebook.com/villageofdimondale
