Belle Isle Zoo is also known as Belle Isle Park and was started in the late 19th century. located on the island of Belle Isle in the Detroit River is situated on the U.S.-Canada border, in the channel south of Belle Isle. The Belle Isle Zoo covers an area of 982 acres. This is the largest city-owned park in the United States and the third-largest island in the Detroit River. The MacArthur Bridge connected this island to mainland Detroit. From the year 2013, the park authority initiated a 30-year-old lease.

The background of Belle Isle Park

In the 18th century, the island was settled by French colonists and named Ile aux Cochons or Hog Island. After winning in the War of 1812, America claimed the island and give it a new name, Belle Isle, which means "beautiful island". Later, the city planned to change the island into a park. The whole park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and opened in 1845.

The Belle Isle Park includes a botanical garden, Belle Isle Aquarium, Belle Isle Nature Center, the James Scott Memorial Foundation, the Dossin Great Lake Museum, a municipal golf course, and Belle Isle Conservatory. The conservatory and aquarium, which were the popular attractions of the park, were designed by the famous architect Albert Kahn. The fountain for James Scott was designed by Cass Gilbert in 1925.  During World War II, the island was used as a training center for the military. and was temporarily renamed Bella Jima. The people of Detroit witnessed an Island invasion in the war without any bloodshed. From 1950–80, the park was the home of the Canoe Concession, which provided rental canoes and also stores private ones. A bandshell was also constructed nearby, which was known as Remick Bandshell, named by one of the most popular publishing house owners Jerome H. Remick, and hosted concerts very frequently.

The Closing of Belle Isle Park

One of the main attractions of the park, the Belle Isle Aquarium, closed on April 3rd, 2005 due to budget issues. But it later reopened in 2012 to visitors as it is the oldest continually operating public aquarium. In 2013, when the city of Detroit declared itself bankrupt, along with other processes, the state took over Belle Isle and converted it into a state park. But after announcing it as a state park, Belle Isle Park dwelled for many years in isolation.

Is Belle Isle Park Open Now?

After a long-standing process, Belle Isle Park formally became a state park on February 10, 2014. The park is now open to the public. It is the most visited place in Michigan; over 4 million visitors come to visit the park every year.

Last year, Belle Isle Park hosted a city-wide memorial to commemorate the 1500 victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.