Lansing - Ranney Park located off Michigan Avenue south of Brody Complex, near Frandor, unites the excitement of alternative sports with the leisure of hanging out with friends.
For those with skateboarding in their veins, Ranney offers a park that is completely free and welcomes people of all ages. Being one of the few outdoor parks in the state, the skateboard haven brings skaters from all over for a chance to show their stuff.
"I never liked basketball or anything like that, so (skateboarding) was an alternative to school sports," Lansing Community College sophomore Mitchell Meoak said.
Meoak said he tries to come to the skate park at least once a week and usually sees people from as young as seven to skaters in their late 30s.
Meoak said he chooses to skate at Ranney because of the variety the park offers. He also said because more people know about Ranney as compared to other parks, the place is fairly crowded on the weekends.
Ranney opened in July 2002 and Meoak has been skating there ever since.
Along with encouraging a wide range of ages, Ranney accommodates skaters of all skill levels. From first-timers to life-long skaters, Ranney provides an opportunity to skate for everyone.
The park, which is operated by the city of Lansing's Department of Parks and Recreation, is unsupervised and few wear helmets. Safety equipment is ultimately the skater's choice.
Tim Allen, a pastry manager at Zingerman's bakery in Ann Arbor, said he only makes it out to Ranney once every three weeks, but he really likes the set-ups and lines at the park. He also likes the fact that he doesn't have to wear a helmet.
"I feel unsafe when I wear a helmet, I feel like it is harder to balance myself," Allen said.
Allen has only been skating for a year-and-a-half, but he used to be a sponsored BMX racer and skateboarding was a natural fit.
Right next to the skate park is Modern Skate and Surf, 326 Morgan Lane, a place that houses anything you could need for skateboarding.
"We have noticed a lot more foot traffic since the park opened," manager Sara Wiest said.
Modern Skate and Surf usually has about 150-200 skateboards in stock. These skateboards range from $89 to $129 for complete sets, or from $140 to $160 for decks, trucks, wheels and bearings purchased separately.
Ranney Park is free and is opened to all of the public. Whether you have been skating for years or want to give it a try for the first time, Ranney has a place for you.
