What to do with Belle Isle?

**Genesyxx** · March-29-22, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by jcole

One thing we all seem to be forgetting is a 2 going on 3 yr pandemic when most people haven't actually been working on the Island or much of anything else. Maybe some actual work will get started soon.

I don't think we forgot about the pandemic, its more about the years before it. I understand there has been some cleanup efforts, but its so much empty space its close to laughable.

The bandshell has been barely utilized [[I think they were showing kids movies there one year), some of the announced projects are still pending like the racquetball courts mentioned before. I don't even know why the water slide and pool were closed. I'd be happy with a simple bike rental stand being put up for people to cruise around, even if they start closing off vehicle access through the forest. To even put up a couple of frisbee golf nets where the mini-golf course was before seems like minimal effort wasted.

**Jimaz** · April-29-23, 08:24 AM

Please Ignore This Giant Bronze Statue
{and other stories from Detroit’s Belle Isle}

"Please take this money to build a beautiful public landmark. And also a giant statue. Of me," said the local Detroit nuisance.

The stories behind two of Belle Isle's most notable landmarks: a marble fountain funded by a scoundrel, and a marble lighthouse built in honor of a Great Lakes shipping pioneer.

**Maof** · May-06-23, 06:13 AM

Meanwhile, the casino will be closed until further notice for roof replacement...

**canuck** · May-06-23, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Maof

Meanwhile, the casino will be closed until further notice for roof replacement...

The kind of architecture that puts a smile on my face, and then a little tear in the corner of my eye when I look at what is now being built around us. A real treasure.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-07-23, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Maof

Meanwhile, the casino will be closed until further notice for roof replacement...

Such a beautiful structure. Detroit had some of the best architecture in the country, only to lose a lot of it to abandonment and disrepair.

**Gistok** · May-06-23, 12:12 PM

Does anyone know what they are going to do with the paddock area [sea of concrete]? That needs to go real badly!!

**southen** · May-06-23, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Does anyone know what they are going to do with the paddock area [sea of concrete]? That needs to go real badly!!

I sat in on a conservancy zoom last year and asked that question. Sadly there are no plans for it currently and I think they are focused on putting their efforts elsewhere. Penske should be the one to pay for its' removal.

**ABetterDetroit** · May-06-23, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by southen

I sat in on a conservancy zoom last year and asked that question. Sadly there are no plans for it currently and I think they are focused on putting their efforts elsewhere. Penske should be the one to pay for its' removal.

I agree it is a eyesore and it would be nice if the paddock was removed but there is some park benefit to having it. Many times I have seen parents taking the little ones there to skate board, roller blade, and ride bikes. On a pretty day last fall on the paddock I witnessed a 4 year old take his 2 wheeler solo for the first time. That’s alway fun to see. It is a great place that’s in a park for those kinds of activity's away from traffic with no obstacles. So… There’s that up side for what it’s worth.

**southen** · May-07-23, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

I agree it is a eyesore and it would be nice if the paddock was removed but there is some park benefit to having it. Many times I have seen parents taking the little ones there to skate board, roller blade, and ride bikes. On a pretty day last fall on the paddock I witnessed a 4 year old take his 2 wheeler solo for the first time. That’s alway fun to see. It is a great place that’s in a park for those kinds of activity's away from traffic with no obstacles. So… There’s that up side for what it’s worth.

I think you could get rid of 95% of it and still have that option. A lot of times when I am over at Oudolf working the DPD will be doing obstacle courses in that space and all you could hear was screeching tires for a couple of hours. Those were headphone mornings instead of being able to enjoy the sounds of nature and tranquility on the island in the morning.

**401don** · May-07-23, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by southen

I think you could get rid of 95% of it and still have that option. A lot of times when I am over at Oudolf working the DPD will be doing obstacle courses in that space and all you could hear was screeching tires for a couple of hours. Those were headphone mornings instead of being able to enjoy the sounds of nature and tranquility on the island in the morning.

Hard to think "landscaped parking lot" without thinking of you-know-who but it wouldn't hurt to put some planter boxes and benches on it as a short term solution to deter cars and help with aesthetics.

**royce** · May-12-23, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by southen

I think you could get rid of 95% of it and still have that option. A lot of times when I am over at Oudolf working the DPD will be doing obstacle courses in that space and all you could hear was screeching tires for a couple of hours. Those were headphone mornings instead of being able to enjoy the sounds of nature and tranquility on the island in the morning.

There is also a road that was added for the Grand Prix that's just southeast of the fountain that needs to be removed in addition to the paddock.

**DeLemur** · May-15-23, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by southen

I think you could get rid of 95% of it and still have that option. A lot of times when I am over at Oudolf working the DPD will be doing obstacle courses in that space and all you could hear was screeching tires for a couple of hours. Those were headphone mornings instead of being able to enjoy the sounds of nature and tranquility on the island in the morning.

I guess the question is how often do you hear that? This feels like a good balance. Most of the time its tranquility in sound there near the Oudolf garden, while sometimes DPD is enjoying and using the great Belle Isle Park as well. Yes one of your senses is then disrupted but then more people are enjoying a dynamic island.

**Gistok** · May-07-23, 03:11 PM

The pond between the Conservatory and Aquarium is quite beautiful. The city keeps the people behind the fence to protect it from vandalism... and to keep children from falling in and drowning.

**Kathleen** · May-08-23, 07:49 PM

^^ That is a beautiful scene! But it hasn't looked like that when I've stopped by the Conservatory!!

**GPCharles** · May-12-23, 12:51 PM

Repair the statute of General Starkey Williams that apparently was hit by a car within the last week.

**Henry Whalley** · May-12-23, 02:33 PM

Donate the island to Ivanhoe [The Polish Yacht Club] as a reparation for the destruction of Poletown, the Round Bar, etc.

**Maof** · May-13-23, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by GPCharles

Repair the statute of General Starkey Williams that apparently was hit by a car within the last week.

Did it happen again? We were just there two weeks ago and I know it was hit in late 2021. The fire damage was mostly cleaned up compared to when it was hit....https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eas...le-isle-statue

**esighed** · May-15-23, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Maof

Did it happen again? We were just there two weeks ago and I know it was hit in late 2021. The fire damage was mostly cleaned up compared to when it was hit....https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eas...le-isle-statue

The 56 y.o. man whose car crashed into the statue Dec. 2021 died, I think DNR said it was a suicide. I suggested to Scott Pratt [[DNR Southern Field Operations Chief) that the DNR contact the driver's insurance company to collect repair cost of the statue. Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation renovated the statue about 20 years ago. They should be contacted to repair it again but use the insurance money from the man who hit the statue. I also talked to Amanda Treadwell [[Urban Field Planner DNR) to do this before the time to claim money is gone.