Archive for the Belle Isle tag

Belle Isle conservatory temporarily closed for major renovations

December 14, 2022 • Leave a Comment

**The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is undergoing $10 million in renovations, which required the closure of the conservatory and grounds in mid-November 2022.**

The Belle Isle Conservatory is undergoing $10 million in renovations, which required the closure of the conservatory and grounds in mid-November 2022. The work completes the final phase of a comprehensive plan to revitalize the upper 60 feet of the 80-foot-tall conservatory dome in one of the nation’s oldest turn-of-the-century glass houses still in existence.

The project starts with inspection of the original steel trusses to see which need repair or replacement, the removal of lead-based paint in the upper 60 feet of the conservatory dome (also known as the Palm House), reglazing the upper dome, and updating the conservatory’s ventilation system. In addition to unique horticultural collections, the building itself is a draw for architecture and history buffs; it was designed by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s most celebrated architects.

**In addition to unique horticultural collections, the building itself is a draw for architecture and history buffs; it was designed by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s most celebrated architects.**

The first phase of this comprehensive renovation project, completed in 2019, included the replacement of all 20 original steel trusses. “Major renovations are needed to stabilize the building to keep the conservatory open for the next century,” said Amanda Treadwell, urban field planner for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “The scope of work is critical to the structural integrity of the dome, public safety and improved conditions for the plant collection.” Treadwell said such capital improvements have been long overdue. “Besides the recent renovations in 2019, there has not been a major capital investment to the conservatory since the 1950s,” she said.

The outdoor gardens will reopen in May 2023, while the conservatory is scheduled to reopen in May 2024. Throughout November and December, scaffolding and a second floor will be erected to contain the abatement work and ensure minimal temperatures are maintained for the plant collection. Similarly, an envelope wrap will surround the exterior of the dome for the duration of the work.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/StateParksProgress.

Efforts underway to help restore rare forested wetland on Belle Isle

August 4, 2021 • Leave a Comment

**The Belle Isle wetland is one of the largest wet-mesic flatwoods in existence and one of only six high-quality occurrences left in Michigan.**

A unique but damaged ecosystem on the eastern side of Belle Isle Park is getting some much-needed attention. Restoration specialists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are working to bring back 200 acres of globally rare, forested wetland at the 2.5-mile-long island park in the Detroit River. It’s one of the largest wet-mesic flatwoods in existence and one of only six high-quality occurrences left in Michigan, providing habitat for a variety of rare plants, wildlife species and migrating songbirds. Wet-mesic flatwoods (forested wetlands) once were prominent along the Detroit River. Efforts to restore natural water flow, retain surface water and enhance ecological integrity began in spring 2021 and will help reverse damage that has occurred over the past two centuries.

Detailed information can be found here (120MB PDF Download).

Daffodils4Detroit celebrates 10th annual Daffodil Day on Belle Isle

November 12, 2019 • 1 Comment

This spring, hundreds celebrated the 10th annual Daffodil Day on Belle Isle, while 700,000 daffodils were starting to bloom outside. This project, created by the Michigan Division of the Woman’s National Farm & Garden Association, began in 2009. Claudia Scioly, of Ann Arbor, was inspired by New York garden designer Lynden Miller and her Daffodil Project in New York City, where one million daffodils were planted as a living memorial to those who died in the September 11 attacks.

Scioly recognized the parallels between New York’s Daffodil Project and Detroit’s need for hope and beauty. Belle Isle had fallen on hard times and seemed the perfect place to start. In 2010, Scioly and Cecily O’Connor organized the first Daffodil Day Luncheon on Belle Isle. Lady Bird Johnson’s words, “Where flowers grow, so does hope,” became the group’s motto. A goal was set: plant one daffodil on Belle Isle for every Detroit resident. As the group neared that intermediate goal, they announced the ultimate vision and a new name: Daffodils4Detroit. The goal is now to plant four million daffodils—one for every resident in Metropolitan Detroit.

Daffodils4Detroit has become a true community effort, garnering strong support from groups, businesses and individuals alike. Proceeds from the Daffodil Day Luncheon and other donations fund the bulb purchases. Each fall, volunteer groups from garden clubs, schools, companies, and nonprofit organizations help plant thousands of bulbs in various locations. To learn more or make a donation, click here.

This Week: Documentary about renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf plays at DIA

December 31, 2017 • Leave a Comment

Piet Oudolf

On Thursday, January 4, 7:00 p.m., the Garden Club of Michigan and Friends of Detroit Film Theatre co-host a special screening of “FIVE SEASONS: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf,” a new documentary about the internationally renowned Dutch garden designer and plantsman Piet Oudolf.

Oudolf’s projects include The High Line (New York) and the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park (Chicago), as well as many others throughout the world. At the invitation of the Garden Club of Michigan, Oudolf has committed to design a garden in Detroit on Belle Isle. Piet Oudolf and filmmaker Thomas Piper will be present at the screening to discuss the Belle Isle garden proposal with audience members.

For more information, click here.
For tickets, click here.

DNR hosting public open houses to obtain feedback on proposed Belle Isle garden

November 6, 2017 • Leave a Comment

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Garden Club of Michigan will host two public meetings November 14 and November 28 to gather public input on a proposed garden in Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. The garden will be designed by internationally renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf.

Oudolf’s acclaimed gardens include the Lurie Garden in Chicago and the Highline in New York City, among scores of gardens around the world. He is one of today’s premier garden designers for public landscapes and is a leading figure of the “New Perennial” movement that is characterized by utilizing herbaceous perennials and grasses. His garden designs are artistic, ecologically inspired, accessible, welcoming, and enjoyed year-round.

After touring Detroit with the Garden Club of Michigan this past spring, Oudolf selected Belle Isle Park as the proposed site for one of his acclaimed garden designs. The site, located near the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Tower between the Remick Band Shell and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, will be a connector in the cultural heart of the park. It also will help revitalize the island and attract garden lovers from near and far. The proposed garden will be paid for through donations and fundraising that will cover all the design, installation and maintenance costs.

Oudolf described the proposed Belle Isle site as a connector for people and activities on the island and “an opportunity to reinvigorate the adjacent structures and facilities.”

Open house dates & details

At the open houses, participants will view a short video of Oudolf discussing his vision for the garden and providing insight into the preferred site location. He also will respond to a few questions submitted by the public ahead of time. Both open houses will take place at the Flynn Pavilion (4435 Muse Road, Belle Isle Park, Detroit).

First open house: Tuesday, November 14, 6 to 8 p.m.
Second open house: Tuesday, November 28, 3 to 5 p.m. Will address questions that arise from the first open house.

“It is vital that the community has an opportunity to weigh in on the proposal,” said Scott Pratt, chief of Southern Field Operations for the DNR. “It is equally important that the DNR and the garden club ensure that the garden will be financially sustainable and has the support of state and city agencies.”

Cherry trees planted on Belle Isle, marking first phase of replanting project

November 24, 2014 • 2 Comments

Volunteers helped replant 120 flowering cherry trees around Belle Isle’s Scott Memorial Fountain in mid-November. Overseen by the Department of Natural Resources, the project was organized by The Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit organization established to guide and inspire the reforestation of the city.

“We are very excited to contribute to the ongoing beautification of Belle Isle park with the cherry tree planting,” said Rebecca Salminen Witt, president of The Greening of Detroit. “We have planted hundreds of trees there in recognition of the important role it plays in enhancing the quality of life in our city.”

In 1994, Toyota (Detroit’s sister city from Japan) donated flowering cherry trees to the city. Many were planted on Belle Isle near Sunset Point and around the Scott Memorial Fountain. Due to disease and damage from insects, many of these trees have since died or had to be removed because of poor condition. “The tree replantings of a disease-resistant species will serve to further beautify Belle Isle by filling these gaps,” said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR’s Urban Forestry program.

“This planting was the first phase in a multiphase project to replant trees in maintained (and other high-use) areas of the park.” Sayers also noted that the multiphase plan may be implemented over several years, with the next phase starting next spring. The cherry tree replanting project was funded as part of a $150,000 U.S. Forest Service grant. This grant is also funding hazard-tree removal and creation of a tree inventory and management plan for Belle Isle.

Since December 2013, the DNR has worked to rid the island of hazard trees in heavily used areas that posed a risk to public safety. DNR staff first inspected the trees. The majority of trees marked and felled showed obvious signs of hazard conditions. More than 200 hazard trees were felled, with additional trees lost during summer and early fall storms.

“(This cherry tree project) was a great start to replanting some of the trees lost on the island to storms, disease and human activity, and those just coming to the end of their natural life cycle,” Sayers said. “We had a successful volunteer turnout and fantastic cooperation between multiple agencies, and I look forward to continuing this momentum into the spring.”

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