Detroit Grand Prix Officials Hope To Keep

Race at Belle Isle Park

At yesterday’s Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee meeting in Detroit, representatives from the Detroit Grand Prix presented a proposal seeking to continue using the island park as a race venue.

When the Michigan Department of Natural Resources assumed management of Belle Isle as a state park in February 2014, the department chose to honor the five-year Detroit Grand Prix agreement already in place with the city of Detroit. Because that agreement expired in 2018, the Detroit Grand Prix is seeking a new three-year agreement, which includes an option for two one-year extensions.

The DNR will take several steps to fully engage the public in the review process while the proposal is being evaluated. Initially, a copy of the July 13 Detroit Grand Prix presentation will be placed on the DNR website at michigan.gov/dnrmeetings (under Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee). Next, the DNR will:

Communicate with Detroit Grand Prix officials, as needed, to clarify any information in the proposal.
Accept public comments, questions and other feedback via email at DNR-GrandPrix-Proposal@michigan.gov through Aug. 2, 2018.

Determine if the proposal will be recommended for approval or needs to be modified. That evaluation will be based on several criteria, including compatibility with the Belle Isle Park strategic management plan; facility and environmental impact; and potential benefit to Belle Isle Park and the city of Detroit. If approved, any changes, enhancements and/or clarifications related to the proposal will be completed around July 23, 2018, and posted to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee website.

Hold a special meeting of the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Thursday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. (location to be determined). At the meeting, DNR staff will review and discuss the recommendation, and the public will have the opportunity for comment.

The DNR will make a final decision shortly after the Aug. 2 meeting date. Once a decision is final, it will be shared with the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee and the public.

“Thoughtful public input is an important step in the evaluation process for any event like this,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “We encourage area residents, business owners and others interested in the future of Belle Isle Park to share their suggestions and ideas with us.”

Belle Isle Park, a 982-acre island park located in the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, is rich with natural beauty and historical and cultural resources. The park – managed as Michigan’s 102nd state park – is home to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, a golf course, the James Scott Memorial Fountain and many more attractions popular with all ages and interests.