Lifeguards have been back to work at Lake Lansing Park South since Saturday, although beach hours have been reduced.

Hours have also been cut down at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing and Burchfield Park in Holt.

The parks will now be open from noon-8 p.m. They were formerly open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

The statewide shortage of certified lifeguards caused the Ingham County Parks Department to reduce the number of lifeguards they employed to reinstate them at Lake Lansing Park South.

Officials said the reduced hours should not have a significant impact on park visitors, since fewer than 5 percent of park usage occurs before noon and after 8 p.m.

Lifeguards at Lake Lansing Park South will cost $25,000 for equipment and salaries.

The park is located at 1621 Pike St.

Ingham County Board of Commissioners voted to reinstate the lifeguards at Lake Lansing on July 11, one week after 13-year-old Mohammad Sohaib Fida nearly drowned at the park.

Fida remains in intensive care at Regina General Hospital in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Budget cuts forced the board to eliminate lifeguards last year. Commissioners decided against a $3 parking fees to pay lifeguard salaries.

Tara May