DETROIT (WWJ) – There’s nothing like a summer day’s visit to Belle Isle, whether it’s cooling off at the beach, grilling, hitting up the food trucks, hiking, braving the Giant Slide or simply enjoying the historic architecture.
DNR officials say the park is becoming more popular, as there were more than an estimated 5 million visitors to the island park last year – nearly double the amount of annual visitors since 2014.
But with that growing public interest comes new challenges – including increased traffic and parking demands. That’s why officials are asking for feedback from the public as they try to “understand and adapt to that growth.”
Park officials have launched an online public input survey inviting park visitors to share their observations and suggestions tied to traffic flow, parking and movement around the island.
A link to the survey and project website is available at Michigan.gov/BelleIsle until Sunday, Feb. 19. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Arabic. Those who prefer an alternate format, including by phone or paper, can call 313-261-5059 for these options.
The survey is part of the Belle Isle multimodal mobility study, an 18-month effort to develop a phased strategy for implementing sustainable improvements to better manage circulation, wayfinding and parking on the island. Officials say the goal is to reduce congestion, increase safety and ease travel for all park users and modes of transportation.
Questions on the survey center around how people get around the island, what activities they enjoy at the park, how long they stay and more.
Wade Trim, a Detroit-based engineering consultant firm, will complete the study, which should be finished at the end of 2023.
As the study and process evolve, the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee will offer periodic progress updates during its regularly scheduled public meetings.
“With a rising number of visitors accessing the park, getting onto and around the island can come with challenges during certain times of the year,” said Amanda Treadwell, urban field planner for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “Hearing from park users about their experiences – what works well for them, what changes could make their visits more enjoyable – will help us develop mobility solutions that work for everyone.”
More information on the study can be found on the Belle Isle website.
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