Belle Isle Park

The city of Detroit has some unique attributes that sets it apart from other large cities in America. Detroit is home to the Bell Isle Park, the country’s largest island city park. Belle Isle was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in the late nineteenth century. Olmstead was a prominent urban park designer whom also won the contest to design New York’s Central Park. Belle Isle has been home to many Detroit clubs and public institutions, such as the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and Detroit Yacht Club. The roadways that surround the island have been used to host Grand Prixs in the past.

Belle Isle is absolutely beautiful on a bright and sunny day. The Detroit River’s water is a stunning blue, and provides an amazing atmosphere for the island. The skylines that appear along the coast of the island are quite breathtaking. Depending on your position along the banks, the views of the Detroit’s and Windsor’s skylines are vivid and spectacular. There are many little beaches, banks, docks, and piers along the coast of the island, open to public use. The island is quite large, over one and a half square miles. The island is also home to many trails and pathways that lead an explorer into a heavier wooded area of the park.

 There are plenty of nice little spots to hang out, and there are also places that people rarely frequent. During a weekday, the island is sparsely in use. There are joggers, cyclists, and motorcycles that race around the island. There are also fishermen that sit at the docks and throw their reels. On a busier day, the island can be a happening place. Dozens of people tossing Frisbees and grilling up barbeque is a common sight. There are a plethora of picnic benches and nice little grassy knolls to set up camp. Basketball courts, volley ball nets within sand boxes, soccer fields, and various other sports and recreation activities are available on the gem of Detroit.

The natural resources on the island are perhaps its greatest assets. The grass is green and well groomed throughout the park. The water is crystal blue, only reflecting the magnificent azure sky. The clouds offer some cover from the bright sun, but flowers are able to soak up the rays and bloom beautifully. A bounty of birds is always abundant; seagulls, pelicans, pigeons, and the occasional soaring hawk. Multiple fountains and monuments are present among the island, giving the atmosphere a flare of rich cultural history embedded within a natural wonder. 

Belle Isle is also a great place for someone into aquatic adventures. On a weekend there will be plenty of sailboats off of the water, with many other visible ships near the shore. Jet skis, yachts, and speedboats skim the water’s tread around the river and sometimes even large freight ships drift by.