 
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 4867
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 1:49 pm: |    |
Some time ago it was asked about the condition of the Beach at Belle Isle. Today, following handball at what are probably the best outdoor handball courts in the country, I stopped to cool off at the beach and thought I would share a couple of pictures to show how nicely they are groomed every day, as they have been for three years now.
Oh, and the water was so clear and refreshing. It is a foot deeper than last year so the wade out to plunge point is much shorter. The view cannot be beat. Enjoy! |
Detroitstar
Member
Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 1211
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 1:59 pm: | |
I love the beach at Belle Isle! It is such a refreshing place. I dont think people understand the quality of the beach and the water is all top notch. |
Drankin21
Member
Username: Drankin21
Post Number: 258
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 2:22 pm: | |
That looks phenomenal! What condition was the beach in before they started grooming it daily? Was it maintained at all? How far out does the sand go? |
Downriviera
Member
Username: Downriviera
Post Number: 771
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 2:24 pm: | |
I'm sure the handball courts at Belle Isle are nice and I plan to check them out soon. However, it would be tough to beat the handball courts on the beach at Waikiki. I played there regularly in the 80's when I lived there. Played against basketball great Wilt Chamberlain a couple of times, only beat him once. He had that long reach. |
Mrsjdaniels
Member
Username: Mrsjdaniels
Post Number: 947
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 2:26 pm: | |
great job...I know I might get flamed for saying this but it might be time to reopen the toll conversation for the island...this is truly one of the last jewels! |
Bongman
Member
Username: Bongman
Post Number: 1583
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 3:14 pm: | |
The beach is very nice, and I've swam there several times, but Belle Isle sure has a unique strain of flying rats. Guard your food, because those guys have no fear, and will steal the burgers and dogs right off your grill. Kamikazes I tell ya'.  |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 4869
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 4:46 pm: | |
Drankin, the sand goes out to the ropes. However some parts have a fair number of small stones that can make some discomfort for tender feet.
Downriviera [love that handle], handball on Waikiki would be awesome. Send me a ticket; I'm ready to go. I have played Venice Beach in LA and Rainbow Beach in Chicago, but Belle Isle's courts are the best for the game. The old courts use to be on the beach. The new ones are on the edge of the forest by the cricket pitch and athletic fields, very beautiful setting but not as dramatic. |
Downriviera
Member
Username: Downriviera
Post Number: 775
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 8:16 pm: | |
I didn't know they had handball at Venice Beach. I play paddle tennis there. If you can, post a pic of the Belle Isle hand ball courts. |
Pythonmaster
Member
Username: Pythonmaster
Post Number: 183
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 10:39 pm: | |
I don't get why so few folks use this beach? |
Broken_main
Member
Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 1540
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 11:13 pm: | |
Every time we visit Belle Isle beach it is always packed. We have seen a lot of models using the beach lately to take their shots. oOOH LA LA |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 1891
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 11:33 pm: | |
Do they groom it like a baseball infield? That doesn't look terribly...soft? Is that the word? |
Track75
Member
Username: Track75
Post Number: 2733
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 11:35 pm: | |
Looks very nice.
Why do they groom the beach every day? |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 2622
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 11:40 pm: | |
"I don't get why so few folks use this beach?"
The same reason people don't eat their veggies. |
Spiritofdetroit
Member
Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 12:10 am: | |
WTF does that mean? |
Lefty2
Member
Username: Lefty2
Post Number: 1456
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 12:38 am: | |
Quote: I don't get why so few folks use this beach?
I guess the surfs not real good for boarding there. |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 6069
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 12:43 am: | |
lol! at "surf" on the Detroit River. |
Detroit313
Member
Username: Detroit313
Post Number: 674
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 12:58 am: | |
Amazing. So underrated!
<313> |
Ordinary
Member
Username: Ordinary
Post Number: 279
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:33 am: | |
Thanks for the pictures. I remember going there with my family when I was a young kid. My grandma would hold up a towel in front of a tree so I could change. Kind of embarrassing for a young kid. We quit going when somebody cut his foot on a broken bottle. That's probably why they have to groom it every day. I had no idea that the beach was still there. |
Goblue
Member
Username: Goblue
Post Number: 2122
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 3:52 pm: | |
Lowell: Gotta hand it to ya...you really know how to create a serious case of homesickness...thanks for the pics of the Belle Isle beach...so many memories. |
Saintme
Member
Username: Saintme
Post Number: 157
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 4:03 pm: | |
The beach is beautiful (even in the rain, like the last time I was there)and is one of my top three favorite parts of Belle Isle. Ironically though of all the times I've been to the beach, we've never been brave enough to wade into the water. I used to row out of the Wyandotte Boat Club when I was in high school in the early 2000s. My boat ( a pair ) tipped in the river once and I've been afraid of the water ever since. Is there anywhere to go to find what the water quality is? |
7051
Member
Username: 7051
Post Number: 122
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 1:17 am: | |
Water quality here is as good as Lake St. Clair. Metro Detroit's drinking water intake is near Belle Isle. Further down river near the sewerage plant and Zug Island the water quality may change. |
Thecarl
Member
Username: Thecarl
Post Number: 1269
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 1:51 am: | |
quote:I don't get why so few folks use this beach?
no one goes there any more, it's too crowded. |
Vetalalumni
Member
Username: Vetalalumni
Post Number: 1037
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 5:33 pm: | |
BI beach was alot of fun from late 70s to early 80s. It was great place to meet your everyday girl (girl-next-door type). |
Retroit
Member
Username: Retroit
Post Number: 260
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 6:03 pm: | |
Dang! That's got to be the cleanest beach I ever saw! Too bad they can't keep the streets of Detroit that clean; the seagulls live better than the people! |
One_shot
Member
Username: One_shot
Post Number: 383
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 6:49 pm: | |
I'm honestly amazed at how perfect that is! Too bad the rest of the island doesn't match...
I am going to check out the beach for sure after seeing those pics. |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 2634
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 6:51 pm: | |
Surprisingly, it's almost always empty.
The city should market it better.
That beach alone would lure more people (especially suburbanites) onto Belle Isle, let along Detroit. |
Hornwrecker
Member
Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 2030
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 7:05 pm: | |
LOC/DPC
(Message edited by Hornwrecker on June 29, 2008) |