Looking for free fun? The Ingham County Parks Department is sponsoring the second annual Memorial Day - Free Day at the Parks on Monday.

Free Day, which only occurs on Memorial Day and Labor Day, is the Parks Department’s way of showing customer appreciation.

“We want to encourage people to come and experience the parks and maybe try some activities they would not normally do,” Assistant Park Manager Julie Pelletier said.

Although Ingham County has many parks, there are only two parks that charge a fee. On Monday, county residents can take advantage of free entrance to Burchfield Park and enjoy trout fishing and canoeing.

There will also be free boat launching at the Lake Lansing Boat Launch and free rides on the pedal boats at Lake Lansing Park South.

Pelletier expects several hundred people to turn out.

Next year the county will have another park available for the event. The new Hawk Island, located on Cavanaugh and Aurelius roads, will be fully operational for summer 2002.

“That park will be fantastic,” Pelletier said.

The park will be similar to the Burchfield location. It will offer trout fishing, row boating, beach volleyball and cross country skiing. Haslett resident Joann Prisciandaro is considering visiting Lake Lansing Park on Monday.

“(It) sounds neat that they are having this event. I think I will go,” she said.

Lansing resident and 2001 MSU graduate Dana Hales is glad she found out about Free Day.

“Now that I know, I think I’ll take my son in the afternoon,” she said.

For more information, call Pelletier at 676-2233.