<<belle isle main

The island that would come to be known as Belle Isle changed hands many times before the City of Detroit bought it in 1879 in order to create a public park. Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape architect responsible for New York's Central park and many other urban parks, was contracted to plan and develop the island.

At first, access to the island was limited to ferries and private boats. Several bridges were built, and were lost to fire or demolished before the current Douglas MacArthur Bridge was completed in 1923 - allowing all to enjoy what the island had to offer. And Belle Isle has something to offer to everyone.

Home to the only public beach in the city or along the river for that matter, the island has miles of roads and paths for bikers, walker, runners and rollerbladers, as well as baseball, softball, football, soccer and cricket fields, tennis and handball courts, and a track. The park also offers fishing along its exterior as well in the creeks and lagoons throughout its interior. A haven for picnickers, with plenty of picnic tables, barbecues and pavilions in nearly every area of the park, the island has become a hotspot for professional and amateur kitefliers.

Belle Isle boasts the country's oldest indoor aquarium which is home to a wide variety of exotic freshwater and saltwater fish. The adjacent Albert Kahn-designed horticulture conservatory houses diverse specimens of less than common plant species. And the Belle Isle Zoo (which has been temporarily closed) presents visitors with a unique perspective on the wild kingdom from an elevated walkway. The Belle Isle Nature Center offers information about the island's plant and animal inhabitants. And kids and adults can enjoy the Giant Slide(pictured) a waterslide, and Playscape.

Architectural beauties include the aforementioned Conservatory, the 85-foot Carillon tower, an elegant Casino (which serves as a gathering place for large meetings and other special events), the 58-foot Albert Kahn-designed marble lighthouse and the celebrated Scott Memorial Fountain. The Dossin Museum holds title to the world's largest collection of Great Lakes shipping memorabilia and exhibits.

Located in the middle of the Detoit River, Belle Isle is accessed from the MacArthur Bridge which connects Belle Isle to East Grand Boulevard at Jefferson Ave. Belle Isle is a Detroit city park and open to the public. - Nick Sousanis

<<belle isle main

Island in the City>>