On the Trail: Meijer Gardens

Oct 29, 2023 — Adventures

A copper statue of the Meijer couple on a bench — This is an expansion of a livethread originally posted to Mastodon . It’s a string of photos moreso than a full narrative, but sometimes pictures tell the story!

Tuesday, August 1st was a warm summer Tuesday during my last week as a Lansing resident after living downtown for a year. As a sendoff, I took one last day trip to Grand Rapids on Indian Trails .

At the time, I didn’t know the trip would no longer be possible by month’s end . It could eventually return, should Trails have the operators to run it next year (and if we eventually get intercity rail), but for now, enjoy this look back.

A tea from Small Matter next to my Wave card and a blue Powecom mask — Ready to roll.

Lansing to Grand Rapids is one of the few nonstop trips between major cities Trails offers. It’s exactly the same as drive time — faster, even, if you consider parking — though the bus tends to roll out 20-30 minutes late on average.

How to get to Meijer Gardens on transit

Step 1: Stare out the window longingly as the Trails bus takes you right past it

Google Maps showing me passing the Gardens on I-96

Step 2: A half-hour trip on Route 15

Bay 15 at Rapid Central Station with a sign saying the bus is due to arrive now

Bus interior with blue paneling and blue seats

Step 3: Fly across downtown while climbing some really steep hills

A brown brick building behind a plaza with trees and a statue as seen from the bus window

Step 4: Take a hike

A Route 15 bus departs Leffingwell and Leonard.

Step 5: Realize you can cut through Cornerstone instead of walking right next to traffic on Beltline

Campus clock and painted rock in purple and green with the university's letters

Step 6: run. you have no power here.

No crosswalk and no stop sign crossing Beltline

Step 7. you made it!

Main entrance to the gardens with a flower display

Final verdict: 3/10. You can get there if you’re able-bodied, but it’s not a safe walk. I certainly wouldn’t call the Gardens transit accessible.

Exploring the gardens

This was my first time visiting Meijer Gardens during off-hours; my only previous experience was the last week of the butterfly exhibit in April 2022 with wall-to-wall crowds. On this trip, I nearly had the gardens to myself.

Greenhouse with plants hanging from the ceiling

Evening sun shining through the ceiling with tons of plants below

The main building at Meijer Gardens is home to the James & Shirley Balk Café. The café not only allow you to take food out into the gardens, but encourages it. On this quiet evening, acres upon acres of benches were waiting for me with nobody in sight, save for live music from the amphitheater hanging in the air. The groundskeepers and security didn’t even bat an eye at my backpack — an issue I’ve faced elsewhere as a transit rider.

The main doors to Meijer Gardens on a slow evening with no people in frame

My dinner on a bench out in the gardens. A sandwich is in a plastic to-go bag along with salad in a cardboard box and a can of iced tea.

The return trip

I had until about 8:00pm to stay at the gardens. If I’d been feeling risky I could’ve stayed until 9, but I wasn’t willing to play last-bus roulette. That’s a good way to get burned if the last run of the night ends up cancelled for whatever reason.

Sadly, Meijer Gardens is only pedestrian-friendly when you’re within its walls. Try to get out without a car and things get sticky.

Flowers planted right up against the curb along the entrance roads to the gardens — Flowers, you’re very pretty but I need a place to walk!

Blacktop pathway right alongside a four lane divided highway

Unlike Lansing and downtown Detroit, Grand Rapids is super hilly.

Bus in the distance climbing a steep hill towards me

And that was it! Quick evening trip out and back to mark the transition from a Lansing resident to a Lansing commuter.

The Lansing Center pedestrian bridge at sunset, seen lit up blue and red behind flowers on the Michigan Avenue bridge — The Lansing Center Skybridge over the Grand River.