DETROIT [2] Belle Isle

***hkskyline*** · August 5th, 2005, 05:48 AM

Detroit's city fathers purchased the 983-acre island in 1879 for $200,000, against the opposition of those who thought the price was too high. They elected to retain the name Belle Isle (beautiful island) by which the property was popularly known.

In 1883, the designer of New York City's Central park, Frederick Law Olmstead, created the master plan for Belle Isle's transformation.

By 1889, visitors could enjoy the park via the islands' first wooden bridge.

Olmstead also helped select Cass Gilbert's design for the mammoth Scott Fountain, chosen over 93 other entries in a nationwide competition. Among Gilbert's other achievements was the design of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

The nearly half mile-long bridge that takes you to Belle Isle today was originally constructed in 1923 and a meticulous renovation was completed in 1986. In 1942, the bridge was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The western tip of Belle Isle offers a very nice view of both Detroit and Windsor.

Ambassador Bridge is one of the order crossings connecting Detroit and Windsor. The other is a tunnel right in the heart of both downtowns. I didn't encounter any delay at all entering the US, but the American Customs agent was a bit bewildered that a car of Hong Kong tourists was interested in touring downtown Detroit. My friend joked with him : "Is it really that bad?"

Some Canada Geese seem to have flocked to the US.

Windsor, Canada

Both sides of the border :

This interior lake looks quite nice, but I wouldn't recommend a dip in the water.

Fountain

Belle Isle is a nice contrast to the city. It is extremely green, and I noticed a lot of people sitting by the water enjoying the view. There is quite a diversity of attractions on the island, from the undisturbed waterfront to the conservatory and the wetlands and beach. Like many North American urban parks, it is a little bare,. Perhaps Olmstead wanted a natural feel to the space, but nevertheless it's a nice escape from the city.

Here's a question for the locals : Was Olmstead's plan carried out in full?

hudkina · August 5th, 2005, 06:27 AM

Beautiful!

I would guess that Olmstead's plan was fully carried out, but due to lack of funds many features of the park have declined over the years. (The Belle Isle Zoo and the Belle Isle Aquarium have both closed)

Detroit_Mahn · August 5th, 2005, 07:00 AM

The Belle Isle Zoo is being renovated into The Belle Isle Nature Zoo, and in fact is open on the weekends. (http://www.detroitzoo.com/pages.asp?ID=282)

And the Aquariam's advisory-vote during the primary won 88% of the votes. So, a re-opening is probably in sight.

***Jaybird*** · August 14th, 2005, 08:57 AM

Belle Isle is looking good and that is a MUST for me when I come to Detroit again!

August 5th, 2005, 05:48 AM	#1
*hkskyline* Hong Kong Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 71,053 Likes (Received): 831	DETROIT [2] Belle Isle Detroit's city fathers purchased the 983-acre island in 1879 for $200,000, against the opposition of those who thought the price was too high. They elected to retain the name Belle Isle (beautiful island) by which the property was popularly known. In 1883, the designer of New York City's Central park, Frederick Law Olmstead, created the master plan for Belle Isle's transformation. By 1889, visitors could enjoy the park via the islands' first wooden bridge. Olmstead also helped select Cass Gilbert's design for the mammoth Scott Fountain, chosen over 93 other entries in a nationwide competition. Among Gilbert's other achievements was the design of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. The nearly half mile-long bridge that takes you to Belle Isle today was originally constructed in 1923 and a meticulous renovation was completed in 1986. In 1942, the bridge was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The western tip of Belle Isle offers a very nice view of both Detroit and Windsor. Ambassador Bridge is one of the order crossings connecting Detroit and Windsor. The other is a tunnel right in the heart of both downtowns. I didn't encounter any delay at all entering the US, but the American Customs agent was a bit bewildered that a car of Hong Kong tourists was interested in touring downtown Detroit. My friend joked with him : "Is it really that bad?" Some Canada Geese seem to have flocked to the US. Windsor, Canada Both sides of the border : This interior lake looks quite nice, but I wouldn't recommend a dip in the water. Fountain Belle Isle is a nice contrast to the city. It is extremely green, and I noticed a lot of people sitting by the water enjoying the view. There is quite a diversity of attractions on the island, from the undisturbed waterfront to the conservatory and the wetlands and beach. Like many North American urban parks, it is a little bare,. Perhaps Olmstead wanted a natural feel to the space, but nevertheless it's a nice escape from the city. Here's a question for the locals : Was Olmstead's plan carried out in full? __________________ Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Click Here for the Hong Kong Galleries World Photo Gallery - \| New York \| London \| Egypt \| Dubai \| Shanghai \| Xian \| Tokyo \| Kyoto \| Prague Beijing, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Iceland, Sydney, Rocky Mountains, Toronto, and much more!

August 14th, 2005, 08:57 AM	#4
*Jaybird* Making Detroit look good! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mitchell, Ontario Posts: 3,888 Likes (Received): 20	Belle Isle is looking good and that is a MUST for me when I come to Detroit again! __________________ I'm a kind of person feeling like living back in the 1950s, one who favors and enjoys the Golden-age, rust-belt cities of Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, and the Gothic skylines of New York and Philadelphia. In my eye, they have more character, soul, and history to be pictured than today's world-class, cosmopolitan, and sprawling cities. Jaybird's ZENFOLIO Photo Galleries Jaybird's PBASE Photo Galleries

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August 5th, 2005, 06:27 AM	#2
hudkina Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Detroit Posts: 4,570 Likes (Received): 8	Beautiful! I would guess that Olmstead's plan was fully carried out, but due to lack of funds many features of the park have declined over the years. (The Belle Isle Zoo and the Belle Isle Aquarium have both closed)

August 5th, 2005, 07:00 AM	#3
Detroit_Mahn Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Noneya damn business... Posts: 136 Likes (Received): 0	The Belle Isle Zoo is being renovated into The Belle Isle Nature Zoo, and in fact is open on the weekends. (http://www.detroitzoo.com/pages.asp?ID=282) And the Aquariam's advisory-vote during the primary won 88% of the votes. So, a re-opening is probably in sight.