A ride on Belle Isle

 Belle Isle is the largest  city owned in the country; nearly 1000 acres.  It is currently leases to the State of Michigan and is run as a State Park.

I am setting up a family bike tour day for the family in a couple of weeks and I wanted to map out the route.  Today was a good day to do that.  This trip took place on a Saturday evening and activities were still going strong, but by sunset the outdoor groups were closing down.  Outdoor open pavilions may be rented.  There is a half mile public beach.  Wedding receptions and other events going strong in the buildings. 

In several hours I traveled the roads through out the island and covered about 14 miles.  I am glad to see it now because there has been some flooding and roads have been closed. 

Enjoy the photo highlights of my exploration.

The Nancy Brown Peace Carillon is surrounded by a chain link fence. Too bad that we cannot get closer. No music anymore.

This police station was constructed in 1893. I love the stone. Those big doors are for the horses. This was a busy spot during prohibition.

Many of the structures dating from the early twentieth century are in need of much repair.

The slide looks like fun. Just sit down in a gunny sack and let gravity take over.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Greenhouse and botanical garden.

The Belle Isle Aquarium. Opened in 1904 and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium when it closed in 2005. It reopened in 2012.

I found part of the road around the island closed to motorized traffic. Even one road was closed to bikes due to flooding.

There is no betting at this casino. A gala event was in progress,

The view from the northern tip of the island.

James Scott Memorial Fountain Read for yourself about the uproar about the gift to the city the resulted in this beautiful photo spot.

From the southern point you get a beautiful view of the Detroit skyline.