Belle Isle park ( Michigan ) - wikipedia Belle Isle park ( Michigan ) This article is about the island park in Detroit. For other uses, see Belle Isle. Belle Isle Park James Scott Memorial Fountain, with the Belle Isle Casino in the background Type State park Location Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Coordinates 42 ° 20 ′ 25 '' N 82 ° 59 ′ 12 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 42.34028 ° N 82.98667 ° W ﻿ / 42.34028 ; - 82.98667 Coordinates : 42 ° 20 ′ 25 '' N 82 ° 59 ′ 12 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 42.34028 ° N 82.98667 ° W ﻿ / 42.34028 ; - 82.98667 Area 982 acres ( 397 ha ) Created 1845 ( 2014 as a state park ) Operated by State of Michigan Website Official website Belle Isle U.S. National Register of Historic Places U.S. Historic district Michigan State Historic Site Location Detroit River Architect Frederick Law Olmsted NRHP reference # 74000999 Added to NRHP February 25, 1974 Belle Isle Park, more commonly known simply as Belle Isle ( / bɛlˈaɪəl / ), is a 982 - acre ( 1.534 sq mi ; 397 ha ) island park in the Detroit River between Michigan and Ontario. The U.S. - Canada border is in the channel south of Belle Isle such that the island is not in Canada. Owned by the city of Detroit, Belle Isle is managed as a state park by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through a 30 - year lease initiated in 2013 ; it was previously a city park. Belle Isle is the largest city - owned island park in the United States and is the third largest island in the Detroit River after Grosse Ile and Fighting Island. It is connected to mainland Detroit by the MacArthur Bridge. The island is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Belle Isle Nature Center, the Detroit Boat Club, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a municipal golf course, a half - mile ( 800 m ) swimming beach, and numerous monuments, among other attractions. It is also the site of a Coast Guard station. The Detroit Yacht Club sits on an adjacent island, connected to Belle Isle by a bridge. The former Belle Isle Zoo site is now closed. Contents 1 History 2 Events 2.1 Auto racing 2.2 Music 2.3 Soccer 3 Attractions 3.1 James Scott Memorial Fountain 3.2 Belle Isle Aquarium 3.3 Belle Isle Conservatory 3.4 Belle Isle Nature Center 3.5 Dossin Great Lakes Museum 4 Statistics 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links History `` Pig Island '' in a French map of 1796 The island was settled by French colonists in the 18th century, who named it Île aux Cochons ( Hog Island ), after the livestock that were allowed free range. The Island was once the estate of American General Alexander Macomb, Jr., whose monument stands in the Washington Boulevard Historic District in downtown Detroit. On July 4, 1845, a historic picnic party was held on the island to change the name to `` Belle Isle '' in honor of Miss Isabelle Cass, the daughter of then Governor ( General ) Lewis Cass. The name Belle Isle ( an archaic spelling of Belle Île ) means `` beautiful island '' in French. The prominent American urban park designer Frederick Law Olmsted created a design for the island in the 1880s. He was known for his design of Central Park in New York. But only some elements of his design were completed. The 1908 Belle Isle Casino building is not a gambling facility but rather, is used for occasional public events. Highlights of Belle Isle include a botanical garden and the Belle Isle Conservatory ( 1904 ). Both the conservatory and the adjacent aquarium were designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn, who designed city landmarks such as Cadillac Place and the Ford Rouge Factory. Interior waterways in the park as they appeared soon after the park 's creation The old Belle Isle Casino, designed by Mason & Rice and built in 1884. It was demolished in 1908 One night in 1908, Byron Carter of Cartercar stopped to help a stranded motorist on Belle Isle. When he cranked her Cadillac, it kicked back and broke his jaw. Complications from the injury resulted in pneumonia and he died. The incident motivated Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac Motors, to state that `` The Cadillac car will kill no more men if we can help it ''. He hired Charles Kettering, who established Delco and developed the electric self - starter. This soon became standard on all automobiles. The island park served as a staging ground by the U.S. military during World War II for a re-enactment of a Pacific island invasion by the Navy and Marine Corps. The island was temporarily renamed Bella Jima, and Detroiters were treated to the sight of an island invasion without the bloodshed. It was conducted after the invasion of Iwo Jima. Architect Cass Gilbert designed Belle Isle 's James Scott Memorial Fountain, completed in 1925. Gilbert 's other works include the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. William Livingstone Memorial Light, the only marble lighthouse in the United States, is located on the east end of the island, and features sumptuous materials and architecture. It was named for the president of the Lakes Carriers Association, who advocated safety and navigational improvements in Great Lakes shipping. Additional recreational options include a nature center, wheelchair accessible nature trail, fishing piers, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and handball, tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, and cricket pitch. At one time, the island housed a canoe concession, which provided rental canoes and stored private ones. Canoe riders often stopped at the nearby Remick Band Shell, which hosted regular concerts from 1950 to 1980. The band shell replaced an earlier facility and provided more amenities for performers and audience members. It was constructed at a cost of $150,000 and was named for resident Jerome H. Remick, who owned the world 's largest music publishing house at the time. Nicholas Kerschen and his family, immigrants from Luxembourg, operated a farm on Belle Isle from 1895 until the early 1900s, according to Kerschen family history. The Detroit Boat Club moved rented facilities on the island from 1902 until 1996. The marina and building are currently closed, and only rowing activities still occur at that location. The Belle Isle Golf Course opened in 1922. The Detroit Yacht Club building dates to 1923 and still houses an active private sailing club ; it also offers swimming and other country club amenities. The Activities Building was the site of a restaurant. The Flynn Pavilion ( 1949 ) was designed by Eero Saarinen and used for ice skating rental. A ferry service to the island existed from 1840 -- 1957, although the bridge was completed to the island in 1923. Riding stables were housed in an 1863 market building that was relocated from Detroit to the island in the 1890s. The building was disassembled and stored by Greenfield Village in the 2000s. The park headquarters and police station are each located in 1860s - era houses. Many fallow deer including the `` white '' variety were formerly widespread on the island The island was home to a large herd of European fallow deer from the 1890s. But, this isolated population fell prey to disease at the close of the 20th century as a result of cyclic inbreeding. In 2004, the last of the 300 animals were captured and moved to the Detroit Zoo and nature center, located on Belle Isle. The children 's zoo on the island and the aquarium closed due to budget constraints. The Belle Isle Aquarium reopened on August 18, 2012, and is now run by the Belle Isle Conservancy. It originally opened on August 18, 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in North America when it closed on April 3, 2005. The aquarium was operated by the Detroit Zoological Society prior to the 2005 closure. It is open to the public from 10 : 00 am to 4 : 00 pm every Saturday and Sunday, free of charge. The 10,000 sq ft ( 930 m ) historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling. After years of problems, in 2013, the city of Detroit declared bankruptcy. A State Emergency Manager was appointed by the state government to oversee the city 's finances. As part of the process, the state proposed taking over Belle Isle and converting it into a state park. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a lease on October 1, 2013, to lease the park from the city for 30 years ; while the city council rejected that offer in mid-October, the Michigan Emergency Loan Board opted for the state 's proposal on November 12, 2013. It set a 90 - day transition period beginning on December 1, 2013, to turn the park operations over to the state. As a state park, it now requires users entering by car or motorcycle to either pay the standard state park user entrance fee or to have a Michigan Recreational Passport sticker on the license plate of their vehicles. There is no charge for those who walk, bicycle or jog to the park. The state has promised to make up to $20 million in improvements to the park over the next three years. Belle Isle formally became a state park on February 10, 2014. Belle Isle was the top - visited state park in Michigan in 2016, receiving more than 4 million visitors. Since the state took control in 2014, it has invested $32 million in renovation and improvements in the park. The park is one of the termini for the cross-state Iron Belle Trail, which consists of separate hiking and biking trails. Events Auto racing Main article : Chevrolet Dual in Detroit In 1992, a temporary street race circuit was constructed on the isle for CART races. The island hosted ten events at Belle Isle from 1992 -- 2001, and racing resumed in 2007 as part of the IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series. On December 18, 2008, the scheduled race for 2009 was canceled. The automotive economic crisis, and its impact on the Detroit - area was the primary reason. Roger Penske did not rule out a return in the future. On September 20, 2011, race organizers gained approval from Detroit City Council to use the updated track and support area on Belle Isle. On October 11, 2011, it was announced that the race would return in 2012. The race continues to be held annually, as of June 2016. The race weekend will feature IndyCar as well as Tudor United SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge races. Music Boating on the Grand Canal in the early 1900s Plans are underway to renew the tradition of Summer concert band performances for 2018 at the Remick Band Shell. Various Detroit - area concert bands are planning on performing on Sunday afternoons at the Band Shell. For instance, the Heritage Concert Band of Troy is scheduled to team with the Belgian American Association Band for a joint performance on July 29, 2018, at 1 : 30PM ( tentative time ). Many of the musicians belong to both concert bands. It was announced that Belle Isle would be the site of heavy metal band Metallica 's 2013 Orion Music + More Festival, guaranteeing $100,000 in revenue. On December 26, 2012, Detroit Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr. confirmed rumors that the city was in the process of confirming 2014 and 2015 as well to take place at Belle Isle. However, in 2013 the festival series was canceled permanently due to financial constraints. Soccer Belle Isle was home to the Detroit Futbol League, but games are now held at the Fort Wayne grounds due to field conditions at Belle Isle. Attractions James Scott Memorial fountain Main article : James Scott Memorial Fountain The James Scott Memorial Fountain is a monument located in Belle Isle Park, in Detroit, Michigan. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Herbert Adams, the fountain was completed in 1925 at a cost of $500,000. The lower bowl has a diameter of 510 ft ( 160 m ) and the central spray reaches 125 ft ( 38 m ). The fountain honors the controversial James Scott, who left $200,000 to the City of Detroit for a fountain in tribute to himself. Belle Isle aquarium Main article : Belle Isle Aquarium Exterior of the Belle Isle Aquarium The Belle Isle Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan. Designed by architect Albert Kahn, it opened on August 18, 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in North America when it closed on April 3, 2005. The aquarium reopened to the public on August 18, 2012, and is now run by the Belle Isle Conservancy. The 10,000 - square - foot ( 930 m2 ) historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling. The aquarium was operated by the Detroit Zoological Society prior to the 2005 closure. It is currently operated by the Belle Isle Conservancy. Belle Isle Conservatory Main article : Belle Isle Conservatory Whitcomb Conservatory on Detroit 's Belle Isle The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory ( commonly and locally known as the Belle Isle Conservatory ) is a greenhouse and botanical garden which opened in 1904. Located three miles ( 4.8 km ) east of the city 's downtown, on Belle Isle, it covers 13 acres ( 5.3 ha ). The Belle Isle Conservatory was built in 1904, designed by architect Albert Kahn, and rebuilt 1952 - 1954 with aluminum replacing its original wooden beams. In 1953, it was named in honor of Anna Scripps Whitcomb, who left her 600 - plant orchid collection to the city. Thanks to her gift and subsequent donations, the conservatory is now home to one of the largest municipally - owned orchid collections in the United States. Rare orchids were saved from Great Britain during the World War II bombing and transported to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Due to a lack of maintenance and budget cuts in recent years, the vast majority of orchids have now died. The conservatory site contains formal perennial gardens, annual flower beds, a rose garden, and lily pond garden. The conservatory itself covers more than an acre, features an imposing central dome 85 feet ( 26 m ) high ( with a total volume of 100,601 cubic feet ), and is organized as a palm house in the dome, the north and south wings, and a show house. The south wing contains tropical plants of economic importance such as bananas, oranges, coffee, sugar cane, and orchids. The north wing hosts the extensive collections of ferns, cacti, and succulents. The show house, remodeled 1980 - 1981, features a continuous display of blooming plants. Belle Isle Nature Center Further information : ( ( : Belle Isle Nature Center ) ) The Belle Isle Nature Center ( BINC ) ( 43 ) encompasses approximately 4 acres ( 1.6 ha ) of undisturbed forested wetland on Belle Isle in Detroit, Mich. The Nature Zoo provides year - round educational, recreational and environmental conservation opportunities for the community. A Deer Encounter, where fallow deer that once roamed the island can be fed by visitors, is part of a multi-phase project to convert the former nature center on Belle Isle into a Nature Zoo focusing on Michigan wildlife, flora and fauna. The Nature Zoo also includes a renovated auditorium, a turtle exhibit featuring native Michigan turtles, an indoor beehive allowing year - round viewing of bee behavior, a spider exhibit and a Creation Station for children 's educational programming. ( 42 ) ( 44 ) Dossin Great Lakes museum Main article : Dossin Great Lakes Museum The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is a maritime museum. Located on The Strand on Belle Isle Park, this museum places special interest on Detroit 's role on national and regional maritime history. The 16,000 - square - foot ( 1,500 m ) museum features exhibits such as one of the largest collection of model ships in the world, and the bow anchor of the legendary SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Statistics At 982 acres ( 1.534 sq mi ; 397 ha ), Belle Isle Park was the largest city island park ( prior to its transfer to the State of Michigan as a state park ) and is larger than Central Park in New York City, also designed by Olmsted. Detroit 's River Rouge Park is 1,172 acres ( 1.831 sq mi ; 474 ha ). Prior to Belle Isle becoming a state park, the City 's Parks and Recreation Department managed 6,000 acres ( 9.4 sq mi ; 2,400 ha ) of parks ( now approximately 5,000 acres ( 7.8 sq mi ; 2,000 ha ) ). The Huron - Clinton Metroparks authority manages 24,000 acres ( 38 sq mi ; 9,700 ha ) of parks and beaches ; however, this does not include all parks in the area. There are thousands of additional acres of parks in metropolitan Detroit. Gallery James Scott Memorial Fountain Interior of the Nature Center at Belle Isle Friedrich Schiller, the German poet, philosopher, historian, and dramatist, statue on Belle Isle View of Downtown Detroit from Belle Isle Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Clock on Belle Isle Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle Belle Isle Casino Front of casino off Fountain Circle James Scott statue admires the fountain SS Edmund Fitzgerald bow anchor Exterior of SS William Clay Ford Pilot House Interior of SS William Clay Ford Pilot House A view of downtown Detroit from Belle Isle Inscription in front of the Nancy Brown Peace Tower William Livingstone Lighthouse on Belle Isle See also Metro Detroit portal Architecture of metropolitan Detroit Belle Isle Aquarium Coast Guard Station Belle Isle Cycling in Detroit Detroit Boat Club Detroit International Riverfront Detroit Race Riot ( 1943 ) - took place on Belle Isle Detroit River Detroit Yacht Club List of botanical gardens in the United States List of maritime museums in the United States Tourism in metropolitan Detroit References ^ Jump up to : `` Belle Isle becomes a state park today, improvements continue '' ( Press release ). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved 2014 - 05 - 08. Jump up ^ National Park Service ( 2009 - 03 - 13 ). `` National Register Information System ''. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Jump up ^ Bernstein, Mark ( November 1, 1996 ). Grand Eccentrics : Turning the Century : Dayton and the Inventing of America. Wilmington : Orange Frazer Press. p. 119. ISBN 978 - 1882203130. Jump up ^ Rodriguez, Michael ; Featherstone, Thomas ( 2003 ). Detroit 's Belle Isle Island Park Gem. Arcadia Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 0 - 7385 - 2315 - 1. Jump up ^ Lochbiler, Don ( November 7, 1997 ). `` Michigan History : Detroit 's fountain of mirth ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved 2008 - 01 - 06. Jump up ^ `` William Livingstone Memorial, MI ''. Lighthousefriends.com. Retrieved 2014 - 05 - 08. Jump up ^ Wobser, Dave. `` William Livingstone Memorial Light ''. Lighthouses of the Great Lakes. Archived from the original on 2013 - 11 - 02. Retrieved 2014 - 05 - 08. Jump up ^ Vivian M. Baluch ( July 16, 1997 ). `` Leonard B. Smith and the Detroit Concert Band ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved 2010 - 10 - 25. Jump up ^ `` Kerschen.org ''. Retrieved November 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Belle Isle, City of Detroit Recreation Department Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Michigan board approves 30 - year deal to lease Belle Isle to state ''. freep.com. 2013 - 11 - 12. Retrieved 2013 - 11 - 12. Jump up ^ `` Attendance, and investment up at Belle Isle ''. May 9, 2017. Jump up ^ `` FAQ about Michigan 's Iron Belle Trail ''. Michigan DNR. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Detroit IndyCar race no - go for 2009 ''. indystar.com. 2008 - 12 - 18. Archived from the original on 2013 - 01 - 04. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 18. Jump up ^ `` INDYCAR : Detroit Cancelled for 2009, Vision Racing Trims Staff ''. speedtv.com. 2008 - 12 - 18. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 18. Jump up ^ `` City Council OKs Detroit Grand Prix request ''. espn.com. 2011 - 09 - 20. Retrieved 2011 - 09 - 20. Jump up ^ Brudenell, Mike ( 2013 - 10 - 28 ). `` Chevrolet, Roger Penske bring 2012 Detroit Grand Prix back to Belle Isle ''. Freep.com. Retrieved 2013 - 11 - 01. Further reading Fisher, Dale ; Fisher, Mary B. ( 1994 ). Detroit : Visions of the Eagle. Grass Lake, Mich : Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN 0 - 9615623 - 3 - 1. Hill, Eric J. and John Gallagher ( 2002 ). AIA Detroit : The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0 - 8143 - 3120 - 3. Rodriguez, Michael and Thomas Featherstone ( 2003 ). Detroit 's Belle Isle Island Park Gem ( Images of America ). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0 - 7385 - 2315 - 1. Sharoff, Robert ( 2005 ). American City : Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0 - 8143 - 3270 - 6. Gautz, Chris. `` State lease of Belle Isle has begun ; 90 - day transition period will transfer duties from city. '' Crain 's Detroit Business. November 12, 2013. Modified November 13, 2013. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belle Isle Park. Official website Detroit Yacht Club Dossin Great Lakes Museum About Dossin Great Lakes Museum Belle Island Botanical Society Belle Isle Nature Center Free Belle Isle Tour App Links to related articles Protected areas of Michigan See also : Important Bird Areas of Michigan National Parks Isle Royale Keweenaw ( Historical ) River Raisin ( Battlefield ) Lakeshores Pictured Rocks Sleeping Bear Dunes Landmarks Au Sable State Forest Dukes Research Natural Area Grand Mere State Park Haven Hill State Natural Area Newton Woods Porcupine Mountains Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand Strangmoor Bog Tobico Marsh Toumey Woods Warren Woods State Park Waterloo State Recreation Area Forests Hiawatha Huron - Manistee Ottawa Wildlife Refuges Detroit River Harbor Island Huron Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area Michigan Islands Michigan Wetland Management District Seney Shiawassee Wild and Scenic Rivers Au Sable Bear Creek Black Carp Indian Manistee Ontonagon Paint Pere Marquette Pine Presque Isle Sturgeon ( Delta County ) Sturgeon ( Houghton County ) Tahquamenon Whitefish Yellow Dog Other Protected Areas Father Marquette National Memorial Grand Island National Recreation Area Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary State Parks Algonac Aloha Baraga Bay City Belle Isle Bewabic Brimley Burt Lake Cambridge Junction Cheboygan Clear Lake Coldwater Lake Craig Lake Dodge No. 4 Duck Lake Fayette Fisherman 's Island Fort Michilimackinac Fort Wilkins Grand Haven Grand Mere Harrisville Hart - Montague Trail Hartwick Pines W.J. 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MacMullan Conference Center Wagner Falls Scenic Site Commons Detroit Grand Rapids Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks in metropolitan Detroit Detroit city Belle Isle Campau Park Campus Martius Chandler Park Clark Park Central Park Dequindre Cut International Riverfront Engel Memorial Park Ford Park Fort Wayne Gabriel Richard Park Grand Circus Howell Park Lafayette Park Milliken State Park and Harbor New Center Park Owen Park Palmer Park Patton Park Reid Memorial Park Roosevelt Park River Rouge Park State Fairgrounds Three Mile Drive Park UIS Irish Plaza Metro 600 to 1,500 acres ( 243 to 607 ha ) Addison Oaks Algonac State Park Belle Isle Camp Dearborn Crosswinds Marsh Hayes State Park ( Irish Hills ) Independence Oaks Lower Huron Lakeport State Park Maybury State Park Metamora - Hadley Recreation Area Metro Beach Metropark Sterling State Park 1,500 to 5,000 acres ( 607 to 2,023 ha ) Bald Mountain Brighton Recreation Area Hines Drive Hudson Mills Huron Meadows Indian Springs Kensington Lake Erie Metropark Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Oakwoods Pointe Mouillee State Game Area Stony Creek Metropark Wolcott Mill Willow over 5,000 acres ( 2,023 ha ) Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Highland Recreation Area Ortonville Recreation Area Pinckney State Recreation Area Waterways Clinton River Detroit River ( Islands ) Huron River Lake St. Clair River Rouge St. Clair River Major beaches Belle Isle Kensington Lakeside Beach and Park Lighthouse Beach and Park Metro Beach Stony Creek Trails 5 to 36 miles ( 8 to 58 km ) Bald Mountain Detroit River Walk / Dequindre Cut Highland Recreation Lakes Kensington Lakelands Trail State Park Novi North Park Paint Creek Trail Poly Ann Trail Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Stony Creek Inwood Trails Trails in Detroit Waterloo - Pinckney Trail Zoological and botanical Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Cranbrook Detroit Zoo Matthaei Botanical Gardens See also Tourism in metropolitan Detroit and Huron -- Clinton Metroparks Architecture of metropolitan Detroit Skyscrapers 10 tallest Renaissance Center One Detroit Center Penobscot RenCen Towers 100 - 400 Guardian Book Tower 150 West Jefferson 20 tallest Fisher Cadillac Tower Stott One Woodward Avenue McNamara Federal DTE Energy Broderick 211 West Fort Buhl Westin Book Cadillac Hotel Greektown Casino Hotel 30 tallest First National Cadillac Centre RenCen Towers 500 - 600 1001 Woodward Millender Center AT&T Chrysler House Jeffersonian Blue Cross Blue Shield Coleman A. 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Anne Roman Catholic Church Complex St. Bonaventure Monastery St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church St. James Episcopal Church St. John 's Episcopal Church St. John 's -- St. Luke 's Evangelical Church St. Josaphat 's Roman Catholic Church St. Joseph 's Episcopal Church ( 1883 ) St. Joseph 's Episcopal Church ( 1926 ) St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Saint Paul Catholic Church Complex Saint Paul Manor Apartments Saints Peter and Paul Academy Saints Peter and Paul Church St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Roman Catholic Church St. Theresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Samuel L. Smith House Santa Fe Apartments Scarab Club Second Baptist Church of Detroit Sheldon Inn Sibley House Somerset Apartments South Pointe Drive -- Frenchman 's Creek Bridge S.S. Kresge World Headquarters State Savings Bank Stuber -- Stone Building Sweetest Heart Of Mary Roman Catholic Church Temple Beth - El ( Bonstelle Theatre ) Temple Beth - El ( Bethel Community Transformation Center ) The Clay School The Harmonie Club The Kean The Palms The Players The Wardell Third Precinct Police Station Thomas and Isabella Moore Clyde House Thomas and Maria Blackman Bartlett House Thomas A. Parker House Thomas S. Sprague House Thompson Home Tiger Stadium Trinity Episcopal Church Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Complex Trinity United Methodist Church US 12 Bridges Vanity Ballroom Building Verona Apartments Vinton Building Waltz Road -- Huron River Bridge Wayne County Building West Jefferson Avenue -- Rouge River Bridge West Side Dom Polski Whittier Hotel William B. and Mary Chase Stratton House William C. Boydell House William H. Wells House Wilson Barn Wilson Theatre Women 's City Club Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church Wyandotte Odd Fellows Temple National Historic Landmarks Detroit Industry Murals Fair Lane Fisher Building Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Ford River Rouge Complex Fox Theatre Building Highland Park Ford Plant General Motors Building Guardian Building Parke - Davis Research Laboratory Pewabic Pottery SS Columbia The Henry Ford Former listings Lincoln Motor Company Plant SS Ste. Claire See also : National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Michigan and List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan City of Detroit Architecture Culture Detroit River Economy Fire & Rescue Freeways Government History Timeline Historic places International Riverfront Media Music Neighborhoods Parks and beaches People Police & Crime Performing arts Skyscrapers Sports Tourism Transportation Water works Metro Detroit Michigan United States National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Lists by county Alcona Alger Allegan Alpena Antrim Arenac Baraga Barry Bay Benzie Berrien Branch Calhoun Cass Charlevoix Cheboygan Chippewa Clare Clinton Crawford Delta Dickinson Eaton Emmet Genesee Gladwin Gogebic Grand Traverse Gratiot Hillsdale Houghton Huron Ingham Ionia Iosco Iron Isabella Jackson Kalamazoo Kalkaska Kent Keweenaw Lake Lapeer Leelanau Lenawee Livingston Luce Mackinac Macomb Manistee Marquette Mason Mecosta Menominee Midland Missaukee Monroe Montcalm Montmorency Muskegon Newaygo Oakland Oceana Ogemaw Ontonagon Osceola Oscoda Otsego Ottawa Presque Isle Roscommon Saginaw Sanilac Schoolcraft Shiawassee St. Clair St. Joseph Tuscola Van Buren Washtenaw Wayne ( Detroit ) Wexford Other lists Bridges Historic districts Houses Michigan State Historic Sites ( listings ) National Historic Landmarks Properties of religious function Railway stations Circuits of the Grand - Am Rolex Sports Car Series ( 2000 -- 2013 ) Road courses Austin Barber Hermanos Rodríguez Laguna Seca Lime Rock Mid-Ohio Miller Montréal Mont - Tremblant New Jersey Road America Road Atlanta Sonoma Virginia Watkins Glen Street circuits Belle Isle Long Beach Trois - Rivières Rovals Daytona Fontana Homestead Indianapolis Iowa Kansas Phoenix Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belle_Isle_Park_(Michigan)&oldid=865839272 '' Categories : Belle Isle Park ( Michigan ) Parks in Detroit State parks of Michigan National Register of Historic Places in Detroit Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Islands of the Detroit River Metro Detroit Michigan State Historic Sites in Wayne County, Michigan Frederick Law Olmsted works Urban public parks Islands of Wayne County, Michigan 1845 establishments in Michigan Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from April 2017 Webarchive template wayback links Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Français Norsk Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 26 October 2018, at 14 : 25 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did belle isle became a state park
Answer: 2013