Joshua Powell frequents Belle Isle with his family and wishes there were more gathering spaces on the 982-acre island park. 

“I would love to see more picnic areas in the park, the beach extended and the (Belle Isle) boathouse open again,” the Detroiter said about improvements he wants to see to the park. 

Powell was among the residents to share suggestions this week during a VIP fundraiser Monday hosted by nonprofit Belle Isle Conservancy to give a sneak peek of its Belle Isle Commons concept. Developed in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the plan could potentially involve creating a public square that would connect popular points of interest for visitors to travel between without driving. The commons area, which would be located near the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, would include a promenade, reactivating the Belle Isle White House for public use, creating an outdoor classroom for children, installing a plaza as well as a canal boardwalk. 

The conservancy followed its Monday fundraiser with a public unveiling of the concept Tuesday as part of Design Core Detroit’s citywide festival Detroit Month of Design. The purpose of both gatherings was to gain community feedback on what visitors want to see for Belle Isle Commons, Belle Isle Conservancy President and CEO Meagan Elliott told BridgeDetroit. 

The plan was broken up into five sections and displayed on poster boards for public suggestions. The program was interactive, with volunteers inviting guests to put down stickers on suggestions at each station or add an index card to reflect ideas that weren’t on the list. There were also booths set up within the event space for guests to make audio recordings to share memories of Belle Isle.

“The whole point was to put this (the concept plan) on paper so that we could turn back around to residents and say, ‘What would you like to see? What would you change? What’s really important to you about this space?’” Elliott said. “This is everyone’s backyard and so, when you’re doing this kind of work, the engagement is so important and critical. That shapes everything.” 

For those who could not make it to the events, the conservancy will be doing additional outreach for the rest of the year, she said.

“We’ll go out to block clubs, we’ll go out to other events around the city and pop up around Belle Isle too and just get that feedback from people,” Elliott said. 

Creating an island of connectivity 

The conservancy first announced its Belle Isle Commons plan in May. Elliott said the plan has been in development for about two years and is built on a multi-mobility study the nonprofit and the MDNR conducted on the park from 2022-2024. That plan resulted in a $2.2 million project to resurface streets and add a two-way bike lane, which was finished last year.

Belle Isle is operated through partnerships with several organizations. Detroit owns the island park and leases it to the state. The MDNR manages the park and conservatory, the state’s Department of Transportation manages roads and bridges, while the Michigan State Police acts as the island’s law enforcement. The Belle Isle Conservancy operates the aquarium.

Elliott said through the mobility study, she was hearing from people that they wanted to be able to move differently around the island. While Belle Isle attracted 5.4 million visitors last year, many leave after driving to one destination instead of moving around the island.

“That’s why in December, we released an RFP (Request for Proposal) with the state to bring a design firm on to say, ‘OK, what would it mean to use these spaces differently? How could it connect all these core assets in the top destinations on the island so that people can get out of their cars?’” Elliott said Monday. 

The conservancy then began a four-month design process with Denmark-based design firm Gehl Studio to develop the concept plan, she said. Last month, the conservancy and the MDNR released an online survey asking the public for input on 11 potential investments to enhance enjoyment of the island park. While that survey closed Labor Day weekend, a new online survey is available for people to share their thoughts and suggestions on the Belle Isle Commons. 

Related:

• ‘Actions speak louder than words’: Detroiters weigh in on Belle Isle’s future following $144M investment
• Belle Isle seeks community feedback on 11 potential investments
• A public square on Belle Isle?

Of the suggestions, one of the most popular that guests agreed with was the concept of a cafe and beer garden in the Belle Isle White House, Elliott said.

Other potential projects for the commons include installing pop-up markets in the promenade, having a grab-n-go pavilion and event space in the plaza, creating an educational nature trail for the outdoor classroom and a kayak launch off of the canal boardwalk. 

After the engagement period ends in December, the conservancy will go over the community responses and decide what needs to change about the design space, Elliott said. A fundraising goal will be determined after the community engagement and designs are finalized.

“Then we’ll hit the ground running with fundraising to build it and figure out a more concrete construction time,” she said. 

Detroiters weigh in

Librarian and author Sandra Novacek was one of the people weighing in this week. The Cass Corridor resident is a native Detroiter and grew up going to Belle Isle. Novacek said Tuesday that she’s excited about Belle Isle Commons, but hopes that preserving the park’s natural landscape remains a priority for the conservancy. She said much of the park is already developed and is worried that more development would push out the species that inhabit the area. 

“There is nowhere else like Belle Isle and we don’t want it to lose its character, its beauty,” Novacek said. “My concern is for the animals that live here and keeping the natural landscape of the island.” 

Shandre Huff also wants to see Belle Isle’s nature to be preserved during this new chapter in the park’s history. 

The Detroiter said coming out to the island is a way to escape the city. Huff, who is a design engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation, visits Belle Isle a few times a week and enjoys jogging, riding his bike and taking photos around the park. 

Huff said he is looking forward to seeing the development of the promenade and the plaza. 

“I want to see more gathering spaces for people to come together as a community,” he said. “And it would be nice to have somewhere to get a snack.” 

Tara Way has history with the park. The Jefferson Chalmers resident was a lifeguard at Belle Isle in the 1990s and still regularly visits the park.

“I want to see more hiking trails around the island, areas to relax and a market in the park,” she said.  

For more information about the project, visit belleisleconservancy.org.