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Belle Isle Park strategic development plan

visitors standing at table casting votes

Belle Isle Park strategic development plan

Building on the 2018 Belle Isle Park Strategic Management Plan, the DNR and the Belle Isle Conservancy are collaborating on a new strategic development plan for the island. This comprehensive initiative aims to review and identify potential park enhancements in a holistic manner. A core part of the process is actively engaging the community to ensure public feedback serves as the backbone for shaping future investments.

Visitor input

 In August, public feedback was gathered through a survey that asked visitors and stakeholders to rank the proposed projects. These projects were identified after evaluating park buildings and spaces, reviewing public comments during the recent multimodal study and consulting with staff. Since these are significant undertakings, they'll likely require strategic funding and partnerships. 

The 11 potential projects include:

Critical ongoing efforts, such as opening restrooms, slowing vehicle traffic, keeping the bridge open and improving trash pickup are not listed as potential projects because work is already underway to address them.

This summer-long community outreach effort also includes an on-the-ground team of staff and volunteers who will be gathering feedback at the park and various community events throughout Detroit.

  • The multi-step planning process includes:

    • Assessing many park buildings and spaces, while also taking into account past public feedback on potential improvements.
    • Identifying strategies and focus areas as well as potential improvement projects.
    • Collaborating with the community to ensure a shared vision for the future that creates a welcoming space for all.
    • Determining priorities based on public preferences, costs and allocation of possible future funding.
    • Celebrating the completion of the plan with the public in 2026.
    • Securing funding and partners to move the priorities forward.
  • Extend the beach and renovate the bath house. Image of a beach and sand.

    Beach

    Extend the beach and renovate the bath house.

  • Restore and reactivate Belle Isle Boathouse. Image of white boathouse building from a bird's-eye view.

    Boathouse

    Restore and reactivate Belle Isle Boathouse for public use.

  • Create a park cafe at the Belle Isle White House. Image of white house with porch.

    Park cafe

    Create a park cafe at the Belle Isle White House.

  • Improve access to canals and create trails. Image of land and water from a bird's-eye view.

    Canals and trails

    Improve access to canals and create trails.

  • Renovate the Nancy Brown Carillon Peace Tower. Image of tower in park.

    Carillon Peace Tower

    Renovate the Nancy Brown Carillon Peace Tower.

  • Create a bigger, better Kid’s Row. Image of playground.

    Kids Row

    Create a bigger, better Kids Row Playground.

  • Restore and activate the Remick Music Band Shell. Image of band shell.

    Music band shell

    Restore and activate the Remick Music Band Shell.

  • Rebuild piers and docks for fishing and ferry. Image of canal with water in background.

    Piers and docs

    Rebuild piers and docks for fishing and potential ferry service.

  • Create interpretive center at the historic sawmill. Image of brick building with workshop with a dormer window.

    Sawmill

    Create interpretive center at the historic sawmill.

  • Clean up and activate former stable yard. Image of brick building with red roof.

    Stable yard

    Clean up and activate former stable yard.

  • Create community and volunteer space at the historic police headquarters. Image of brick building with steepled roof.

    Community and volunteer space

    Create community and volunteer space at the historic police headquarters.

  • Significant improvements already complete or in progress:

    • The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory has reopened after $10 million in renovations, including a new glass dome.
    • The Flynn Pavillion restrooms are now open year-round.
    • The Casino will reopen in fall 2025 after $6 million in renovations 
    • The James Scott Memorial Fountain is undergoing $6 million of work in 2025/26.
    • Restrooms/shelter #2 (across from the Flynn Pavillion), restroom/shelter #8 (along Riverbank Road) and the restrooms at the northeast corner of the park (oxbow) will be renovated in 2025. 
    • A new shelter will be added.
    • A proposal for renovating the Belle Isle Boathouse is under review. 
    • The Belle Isle Multimodal Study was completed in 2024 and focuses on improvements to roads, sidewalks and trails . 
     

  • Next steps

    This fall, the project team will draft a set of recommendations to improve park resources for the next 10 years based on their research and public input. The final recommendations will be shared with the community in early 2026.

  • Contact

    Contact Amanda Treadwell, urban area field planner for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division at TreadwellA@Michigan.gov or 313-269-7430.