MyMichiganTrails

Gallery Page 1

There is a very well defined and wide dedicated bike path around the entire island on the left side of the road.

The photo below faces the Detroit side of the river and is the most popular place for people to park their cars and enjoy the view. Many set up lawn chairs on the grass and relax under trees. There are restrooms and picnic tables nearby.

This path has Canada as the view to the right.

There are numerous piers around the island that are nice to walk down and fish from. This one is on the Detroit side. I used to live in the apartment in the distance.

I am now biking in the interior of the island which is nice too. This is a bridge of which there are many that take you across the many interior canals in the island.

The Island's historic casino.

The beautiful fountain on the island. The fountain is named the Scott Fountain after James Scott, a real estate speculator and developer, and eccentric gambler and controversial socialite who lived from 1831 to 1910. He bequeathed a $500,000 grant at the time of his death in 1910 to build a fountain on Belle Isle on the condition a life sized statue of himself also be constructed. This outraged citizens but they eventually conceded. Scott was known as a prankster of elaborate practical jokes who feuded with neighbors, told dirty jobes, and drank and is said to have been despised by most who knew him. Construction was completed in 1925, 15 years after his death in 1910.

The fountain is constructed of Vermont White Marble and has 109 water outlets in the shape of human heads, dolphins, turtles, lionesses and animal horns. The fountain was designed by the NY architect, Cass Gilbert. Cass Gilbert selected the New York sculptor Herbert Adams to design a life-sized statue of James Scott. Water shows are presented from Memorial Day to Labor Day. At dusk, a colored light show is added. During the summer months this is a popular site for wedding photographs. The dedication on the back of the sculpture declares, "For the enjoyment of the people and for the adornment of his native city, James Scott bequeathed to Detroit his fortune to be used in the construction of this fountain. Erected MCMXXIII. From the good deed of one comes benefit to many."

There are many, many play areas for kids on the island. I did not take pictures of the the largest one which is quite large.

This is a nice bridge that is next to the casino.

Another scenic view of the many interior canals.

The island also a nice and popular beach.

There are two water slides on the island. This and another that is straight with hills.

A view of a beautiful house across the river in Canada.

Another house on the the Canadian side of the river.

<< Go Back