LANSING, Mich. — It's kind of hard to miss the glaring absence of snow on the ground, even the places that make their own snow are running into a roadblock.
FOX 47 News talked with the Ingham County Parks department about Hawk Island's popular snow tubing hill being closed because of the warm temperatures.
Mid-Michigan's warm temperatures and rain have made it hard for staff to build a foundation for the tubing hill. And believe it or not, it's putting a dent in a lot of vacation plans for park goers.
In order to build the tubing lanes, the temperature needs to be below 28 degrees. However, temperatures teens or single digits are preferred. Unfortunately, once the weather warms up or it rains, it brings their operation a standstill.
"Once we build a base of snow, we get it going and it's really important we get the lanes put in. And all of that gets knocked out when it rains or gets warm," said Tim Morgan, Ingham County Parks Director.
Morgan also said the humidity we are experiencing in Mid-Michigan isn't helping either. "It's a humidity thing too, sometimes the best snow is not made when it's snowing out," said Morgan.
Since parks are weather dependent, not having the hill open Morgan said could put a pinch on their economy. The county is hoping once the hill opens back up and they can make up for lost revenue.
Hawk Island walking and hiking trails are still open during their normal hours.
