Michigan's Struggling '80s Island Park Has Changed — Now It's Stronger Than Ever

First opened in 1880, by the 1980s, people were staying away from Detroit's Belle Isle Park. The island, once called the "Jewel of Detroit," had fallen into disrepair. Some buildings didn't have running water or showed clear signs of neglect — it was far from its heyday when families flocked here to spend their afternoons enjoying all the park had to offer. But Belle Isle is entering a new era after the State of Michigan took it over from the city of Detroit in 2014. Since becoming a state park, Belle Isle has seen more than $144 million in investments.  

Located in the Detroit River, the park is about a 12-minute drive from downtown Detroit or a short bike ride from Detroit's beloved Riverwalk. The 985-acre island park boasts seven miles of shoreline and offers visitors a peaceful escape from the Motor City's bustle. An estimated 5.5 million people visit the park's trails, beaches, and recreational spaces each year, Tom Bissett, the former Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division assistant chief, told CBS News. Today it's Michigan's most visited state park. 

Similar to Detroit's popular Milliken State Park, Belle Isle is open year-round and boasts beautiful fall foliage and colorful spring blooms. You can bike, run, or walk the dedicated trail, or practice your game at the driving range and putting course at Belle Isle Golf. From Memorial Day to Labor Day you can kayak on the river or swim along the half mile stretch of sandy beach. There's also plenty to do when the weather just doesn't want to cooperate. Visitors can head indoors to the Belle Isle Aquarium, one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, or the Dossin Great Lakes Museum — all places where visitors can easily spend an afternoon lost in exploration. If you're planning to visit Belle Isle, here's what's new.

One significant change is more time to explore Belle Isle Aquarium. Previously only open on weekends, the Belle Isle Conservancy added Thursday to its schedule permanently, so visitors can now enjoy the aquarium Thursday through Sunday, year-round. The aquarium takes visitors on an adventure through marine life from around the world. According to Michigan Water Stewardship, its home to the only known collection of all seven gar species found in North America. The aquarium is free, but small donations are welcome. 

In an interview with Islands, Meagan Elliott, president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy, said another big change is the new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trail, a roughly six-mile trail that runs the entire perimeter of the park and is separated from the roadway. "It connects over the bridge and then connects onto the Detroit Riverfront, and then Joe's Greenway," Elliott said. "It's a really huge step in connecting those bikeable assets across the city."

The iconic Anna Scrips Whitcomb Conservatory (pictured) first opened its door in 1904, and it recently reopened following a $10 million restoration. A botanic garden with a vast greenhouse, the conservatory is open year round and free to explore. Set against a picturesque pond and peaceful waterfall, it features a collection of exotic plants from around the world in one of the oldest such structures in the U.S. Take a moment and marvel at the the iconic glass-domed building loved by locals and visitors alike. Inside, there are five sections to discover, including the Palm, Tropical, Cactus, and Show Houses, and a Fernery — each featuring a different climate. 

Another beloved landmark, the historic James Scott Memorial Fountain, sparkles brighter than ever following a much-needed deep cleaning, Sareen Papakhian, urban district park supervisor for the Michigan DNR, told Islands. Whether you walk, run, or ride through the trails, its worth getting the massive marble bowl that stretches 510 feet in diameter in your pictures. With it's ornate statues and carvings, and whimsical water-spouting turtles, it has been a focal point in the park since the 1920s.

At the Belle Isle Nature Center you can learn more about Michigan's native wildlife and ecosystems through exhibits such as the Bird Viewing Bay, Honeybee Hives, and the Frog and Toad Crawl-through. Located northwest of the Blue Heron Lagoon, the Nature Center is free to visitors daily. The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is an immersive experience that's also worth a visit. It highlights the region's maritime history and culture through exhibits and educational experiences that you can sign up for with a modest entry fee. And if you head to the park during the spring and summer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day), head to Flynn Pavilion to rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board (SUP) and explore the isle's calm interior waterways, or venture out onto the river.

According to Elliott, the conservancy is currently raising funds for five park projects. These include the Belle Isle Commons Project connecting the park's landmarks and making it more walkable for guests. A top priority is opening a year-round cafe plus a beer-garden-style experience during the warmer months. The conservancy has already debuted the concept. Elliott told Islands, "Last summer, we did basically a pop-up version of that we called 'Saturday Social.' Every Saturday, we opened a beer garden, we had local DJs, and 29 different Detroit-based businesses that we were supporting." StrEATs food trucks are also seasonally available on the island.