Belle Isle privatization panned as “dystopian”

Posted on by farlane
Former Belle Isle Police Station & Jail by Will Jensen

Former Belle Isle Police Station & Jail by Will Jensen

Here is a followup to yesterday’s story on Belle Isle Freedom City. Janelle James of Bridge Michigan reports that the revamped & decades old proposal to buy Belle Isle and turn it into a privately funded housing, entertainment and retail district is being shut down Michigan officials and the Belle Isle Conservancy:

“This proposal is not something the Michigan DNR has been involved in and it’s not something the state is considering,” Tom Bissett, assistant chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, said in a statement. “Since assuming management of Belle Isle in 2014 through a lease with the city, the state has focused on investing in the historic park, recognizing the central role Belle Isle plays in the life of Detroit and its residents,” he said.

The Belle Isle Conservancy, a nonprofit that partners with the state and city to protect the island, was even more forceful in dismissing Lockwood’s redevelopment plans. “Belle Isle is a public park. Period,” said Meagan Elliott, president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy. “The Belle Isle Conservancy has not been consulted at all on this dystopian plan. Our face-to-face community engagement this summer touched 12,000 people, showing that residents endorsed the idea of the Belle Isle Commons and more recreation offerings.” 

That seems like good news unless you are fans of turning one of Michigan’s most amazing parks into a mini-Dubai, but it’s positively great news once you dig into all the improvements to the park planned under the Belle Isle Commons., which includes plans to convert the historic Belle Isle police headquarters into a community and volunteer space.

Will took this photo back in 2017 when there were rumors of the station becoming a visitor center. See lots more stunning shots in his Belle Isle gallery on Flickr.

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Belle Isle Freedom City is basically Belle Isle for Billionaires

Posted on by farlane

Belle Isle by charles hildebrandt

You may have heard about a poll that had a majority of Michiganders approving a concept to create a “special economic zone” on Belle Isle, which is owned by the city of Detroit. The news (rightfully imo) raised an online furor in Detroit where residents wondered why they should care what the rest of the state thought they should do with our beloved island park. Under the proposal, investors would make a one-time $1 billion payment to the city in exchange for a long-term lease, and Detroit would receive an additional $50 million annually.

EDITOR’S NOTE: although the poll claims majority support from Detroiters, every article is wall to wall “do not do this” comments so color me skeptical about anything that comes from this organization.

Currently, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages Belle Isle State Park on a 40 year lease, and the park is home to an amazing variety of destinations including the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle Aquarium, the currently being renovated James Scott Fountain, and lots more amazing sights & spaces!

Belle Isle Freedom City is the organization behind the concept for “a self-governing hub of innovation, economic freedom, and private-led development” with “a great degree of autonomy with regard to taxation and regulation.” So basically, a new suburb? You can read the “speculative fiction” about a plucky group of billionaires who turn a city park into their home below if you want.

Charles took the photo of the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon back in June of 2023. You can (and should) dive into his Belle Isle photos on Flickr for all kinds of reasons why this park should stay a park.

screenshot of belleisle-freedomcity.com
screenshot of belleisle-freedomcity.com
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Michigan DNR seeking summer workers

Posted on by farlane

Bear Triplets by Ross Ellet

Are you looking for a summer job in the outdoors or do you know someone who is? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for new members for their 1,300 person team of summer park workers and spend the season in Michigan state parks, boating facilities, and other amazing outdoor spaces. You’ll welcome visitors, help campers, and keep our parks looking their best. With flexible scheduling, these positions are perfect for college students, teachers, retirees or anyone interested in working at Michigan state parks. Apply online today!

While you may not be able to hold three bear cubs like DNR worker in these photos, you might be able to! You’ll also be making the state better for everything that Michigan in Pictures is about, so if you do get a summer internship with the DNR and want to share a photo here every so often with a link to support you, just send me an email and we’ll work it out!

Ross took these shots of baby black bears being held during a bear den visit way back in April of 2014. See more in his awesome Wildlife gallery on Flickr and view & purchase his work at rossellet.com.

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Sunset at the Coves

Posted on by farlane
The Coves Sunset by Footsore Fotography

The Coves Sunset by Footsore Fotography

I shared this photo 13 years ago, but it really felt like I needed to return here this morning, if only for a virtual moment.

Gary has been a part of Michigan in Pictures for years now, bringing photos from across Michigan, but especially Grand Marais & the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. View & purchase his work at Footsore Photography & for sure follow Gary on Facebook! The first two below are from The Coves along with a collection including Lower Mosquito Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & the last is from the upcoming Grand Marais Fly-in!

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Happy Birthday to America’s second National Park!

Posted on by farlane
Mackinac Island by Mark Swanson

Mackinac Island by Mark Swanson

Most remember that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law establishing that Yellowstone as America’s first national park on March 1, 1872, but not that many are aware of the 2nd national park that Congress created just three years later on March 3, 1875. The National Parks Traveler has a great feature on America’s “forgotten” national park which existed from 1875 to 1895 when it became Mackinac Island State Park, the nation’s first state park which is now Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Mark has shared a ton of Mackinac Island pics on Flickr and in our Absolute Michigan group. Here are some of my faves. See more in his Mackinac, Michigan gallery on Flickr!!

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The Great Flip Flop Caper of 2024

Posted on by farlane
Recovered Flip Flops by Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Recovered Flip Flops by Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Tahquamenon Falls State Park shared yesterday that there has been a thief taking flip flops and crocs from campers at their Rivermouth Campground:

It was discovered today that there are multiple thieves, and they have four legs and are adorable. All of the shoes shown were found outside a fox den. If you look closely, you can see teeth marks in the flip flops and straps have been chewed off the light pink crocs. Heads up if you are camping this summer at the Rivermouth, you’ll want to keep your shoes inside your camper 🦊

So if you do camp at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (and you very much should) keep an eye out for the Flip Fox Gang! Much more Tahquamenon Falls & more Michigan foxes on Michigan in Pictures.

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Nothing can prepare you for Detroit’s Giant Slide

Posted on by farlane

Looking Down the Giant Slide by Belle Isle Park

Detroit’s Belle Isle Park shares that the infamous Giant Slide – which briefly opened last August before quickly closing after riders were going way too fast – will reopen for the summer this Friday (July 19) from 11-6pm. Regular hours through Labor Day will be Friday 12:30 -5:30pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10:30-3:30pm. It only costs $1 per ride so I’m expecting plenty of pics from all of you!!

Now here’s a look courtesy GmacCash at what’s in store for you on the Giant Slide!

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Isle Royale Rangers … and a Kayak

Posted on by farlane

Julie off Hawk Island by Carl TerHaar

Here’s a sweet article in the Northern Express about the all-women team of park rangers at Isle Royale National Park for you to check out. It has nice profiles of each ranger and begins:

John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. Everett Townsend and Walter Fry. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Richard Proenneke, and Ansel Adams. Since the inception of the national parks in the late 1800s, the men who carried the banner of wilderness preservation also wrote the history of their movement, often missing the crucial role women played in protecting America’s wilderness from the Industrial Revolution and the raw material extraction that revolution demanded.

At Isle Royale National Park, the lower 48’s least visited but most revisited national park, an all-women team of park rangers reminds us that all it takes to work in nature is a passion for conservation and a love for the outdoors.

“It wasn’t intentional at all,” says Katie Keller, lead ranger at Isle Royale, when we inquired about how the team came to be. “Hiring for the parks is different every year. So we were just as surprised as the visitors when we had all-women rangers two years in a row.”

Karl took this way back in 2011. See lots more in his Isle Royale National Park album and view & purchase his work at Mackinac Scenics.

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Embrace Michigan’s Dark Skies!

Posted on by farlane

Dark Skies at Rockport Recreation Area by SG Captures

Dark Skies at Rockport Recreation Area by SG Captures

Michigan State Parks, Trails and Waterways shared this photo from the Rockport State Recreation Area, asking: What are you doing to do to celebrate #InternationalDarkSkyWeek?

Michigan is lucky to have designated areas that host spectacular nighttime viewing. Dark sky parks and preserves have a limited amount of artificial light, making it easier to stargaze in those locations. Dark sky preserves are designated by Michigan legislature and dark sky parks are designated by the International Dark Sky Association. The six state parks that have dark sky preserves are:

In addition to these dark sky preserves, there are two dark sky parks in Michigan:

And if that’s not enough, there is also plenty of excellent night-sky viewing opportunities across more than 15,000 square miles in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For more details, visit Michigan.gov/DarkSky.

Sarah is a Michigan State Parks Photo Ambassador, and you should definitely check out her website where you can view & purchase her work as well as her Facebook & sg.captures on Instagram!

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Back into the Woods Day 2020!

Posted on by farlane

Sandstone Creek Ravine by Joel Dinda

Sandstone Creek Ravine by Joel Dinda

If you’re like me & love to hike, the two weeks of deer season put a little damper on your outdoor fun. Years ago, I proposed December 1st be designated a holiday so a very happy “Back into the Woods Day” to you all!

Joel took this photo at Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge back in 2012, and since you can see more in his Into the Woods gallery, it’s clear he deserves a lot of the holiday naming credit!

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