A Trip to Belle Isle

Last Friday July 18, we went with some friends to visit Belle Isle, Michigan. Belle Isle is an island park in the Detroit river just across from downtown Detroit (see map here). It is the largest city island park in the country, larger than Central Park in New York City. The last time I went to Belle Isle was when we first moved to Michigan a little over 8 years ago. I took Spencer and Jessica with a big group of friends from my ward, but they don't remember going, so I thought we'd go again. There are many things to do on Belle Isle. We went to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory (which opened in 1904), a Nature Zoo, William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse (the only marble lighthouse in the U.S.), and a large play area where we had a picnic. We also planned to go to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, but were disappointed to find out it was closed that day.

We really liked the Conservatory which is home to hundreds of different plants, including one of the largest orchid displays in the country. It had an 85-foot dome that has become a symbol of the island, with palm trees that soared way over our heads. Outside it had beautiful perennial gardens, rose gardens and lily pond.

But our favorite thing on Belle Isle was the Nature Zoo. As we were touring the nature center, one of the volunteer employees asked if we wanted to help feed the deer in their outside enclosure. Apparently, as we soon found out, the deer on the island were slowly being run over, hit and or wounded by vehicles on the island. So to keep them safe, the Belle Isle Nature zoo was able to secure all 25 fallow deer that once roamed the island to now enjoy a one-acre enclosure and barn. None of us had ever seen deer that close before. It was pretty cool! The deer were definitely not shy at feeding time, and came right up to the fence to eat the crackers we were given. I got a lot of pictures. Way cute, and really fun for the kids! It was a fun day!!

The kids on a Coast Guard Boat in front of Dossin Great Lakes Museum

In the Conservatory next to the giant Orchid display

By the fountain at the Conservatory

Spencer smells flowers in the gardens by the Conservatory

Logan and Alex on the playground

In the Nature Center - Everyone is a "horned animal"

Alex is a one-horned Bull

Getting some food for the deer

Jessica feeds the deer

Logan wasn't scared of feeding them

Alex was a little more timid about getting his fingers bitten

Our group out on a fishing pier

The kids on the banks of Belle Isle with the Detroit skyline behind them