Oak Park YMCA

900 Long Blvd Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: 517-827-9700

The YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing acquired the existing building that is known as Oak Park YMCA in 1982. For the past 37 years it has been changing lives on the Southside of Lansing. And it's been changing Jonathan and my life since we first joined it in 2007, when Jonathan was just 2 years old. Conveniently located near a key business area of south Lansing and the southern Ingham County communities of Holt and Mason, Oak Park YMCA can be accessed from Cedar street just off Exit 104 on I-96 in Lansing.

A variety of programs are offered in their approximately 70,000 square feet of facilities, that were refurbished over the past decade to include family locker rooms and a new fitness center area. Some programs that define Oak Park YMCA would be their Child Care Center and the Oak Park triathlon team. The swimming pool is appreciated by serious swimmers for its long lap lanes and children can utilize designated shallow areas to enjoy the water. It is not uncommon to have intergenerational conversations taking place at this YMCA as they have strong contingencies of both senior citizens and families with young children who are active members of this YMCA.

Jonathan and I kicked off our second YMCA tour at Oak Park YMCA (#1 of 49) on April 13, 2019. Autism families in the community were treated to activities in the gym and pool from 1:00-3:00pm.

Cooper Scott Spaulding of Cold Box Films was on site to record a Facebook Live conversation with Jeff Scheibel, CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing, and I. In the video I share some ways in which the YMCA has helped our family and can help other families with children with special needs. You can hear the recording below.


Staff from Jack's Place for Autism Foundation came all the way from Southfield, Michigan to be with us and host a table offering first responder resources and they donated a stuffed dog named "Augie" for a drawing to be won by one lucky youngster.

We are taking "Augie" with us to every YMCA in Michigan. On the right is a photo of Augie on one of the indoor exercise bicycles located in the balcony above the racquetball courts at Oak Park YMCA.


If you are close to the Southside of Lansing one of the best bargains would be to become members of Oak Park YMCA. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify based on income. On another day I will write a separate post on the value of a YMCA Membership, but one perk is that because of the YMCA's reciprocity program, your membership at one YMCA is good at any YMCA in the United States. The reciprocity program is what inspired Jonathan and I to begin our very first tour of YMCA's around the State of Michigan in November 2017.

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Alan and Jonathan Stokes are members of the Oak Park YMCA at the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing. They are partnering with Jack's Place for Autism Foundation and the YMCA's in Michigan to visit each YMCA and spread autism awareness across Michigan from 2019-2022.