  Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2608 Registered: 10-2003 |
 Not what I was expecting either.  | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1645 Registered: 05-2005 |
i just saw these this morning too. wierd on another belle isle note, anyone know whats up with all the excavation work on/near lighthouse point? | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 593 Registered: 01-2006 |
Kids looked to be having a ton of fun on the giant slide this afternoon!! | ||
Rick Member Username: Rick Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2007 |
Hey I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I know the guy whose company is running the swan boats on the island. They are also operating the giant slide and golf course concession stand. The company is called Skyline Attractions. As far as the boats go, they have 6 right now and hope to have 20-30 soon. Here are some pictures my wife and I took during our boat ride on Saturday.     | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9137 Registered: 10-2003 |
One of the 'swans' is at the Dossin Museum. With all of the history there the swan boat seems to be a major attention grabber for kids. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4314 Registered: 08-2004 |
So I assume that instead of canoes with oars, these swan boats are akin to pontoon boats that have foot pedal power for movement, and probably (for liability reasons) are difficult to tip over. I like it! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9138 Registered: 10-2003 |
Probably also more appealing to children. | ||
Rick Member Username: Rick Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2007 |
Indeed they are pedal powered and can be quite a workout. They are located in Lake Takoma which is approximately between the Casino and the Conservatory. The dock is at the Flynn Pavilion Building or I think the sign calls it the skating pavilion. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 254 Registered: 05-2006 |
Are these swan boats free to roam the connected waterways around the island or are they too tall to fit under the bridges? (Message edited by Ramcharger on May 14, 2007) | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 72 Registered: 01-2007 |
I was at a community event a few months ago and Mayor Kilpatrick said we were getting these on Belle Isle this summer. I thought i misunderstood him but i guess it is true! They look great! | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1223 Registered: 06-2005 |
Ramcharger, We were out there yesterday and the swan are only usable in a limited area. It is sectioned off. I don't think the swans would be able to fit under the bridge. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 255 Registered: 05-2006 |
Thanks Broken_main, it only makes sense that they would want to keep their boats in sight. By the way, how much is the rental charge? Does anyone know if you're allowed to use your own canoe on the islands waterways? | ||
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear Post Number: 292 Registered: 08-2005 |
I bet the real swans are scared out of their minds. | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1224 Registered: 06-2005 |
Exactly, they looked really nice out there. They even have the 4 seaters as well. | ||
Dbc Member Username: Dbc Post Number: 40 Registered: 09-2006 |
Has Flynn Pavilion been restored yet? I know they had a ceremony a few years back with Senator Levin regarding, I believe, federal funds to help restore it and have ice skating there once again, but I haven't heard anything since. What's the status? | ||
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik Post Number: 195 Registered: 09-2005 |
they don't fit under the bridges? that was the one of the fun parts of canoeing!!! but if we can't have canoes we'll take swans any day! | ||
Rick Member Username: Rick Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2007 |
They don't fit under the bridges unfortunately. It was tried and the results were a stuck swan with a scratched up head. I was told they would expand the boat-able area some when they get more boats in. Regarding the Flynn Building; 1/3 of it is being used for the boat business's office and employee lounge area. I think the other 2/3 can be rented out for parties or meetings or whatever. There was a graduation party there on Saturday. It looks really nice.      | ||
1805 Member Username: 1805 Post Number: 49 Registered: 03-2007 |
This is exactly the kind of thing that is needed. It's novel stuff like this that gets spread through word-of-mouth. I've gone to Belle Isle the last three days and it has been shining. It BEAMS positivity and unity. All kinds of people (and birds) have been flocking there, recently. And, clean-up is at full steam! I notice on Skyline Attraction's web-site that they also manage the Jayne/Lasky Recreation Center near Conant and Ryan. Apparently there's a rock climbing wall, miniature golf, disc golf course, baseball and soccer fields, and... BATTING CAGES!!! Anyone ever been? Is it well maintained? | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 477 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey Rick! Very nice of you to post such beautiful pictures of our beloved Island for those of us who won't be able to see the progress in person. I'm just in love with the Flynn building! What a perfect example of mid-century construction and design. An excellent first and second post! Tell your friend thank you for doing business on Belle Isle. | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 492 Registered: 11-2006 |
bump - just want more people to see the beautiful Flynn building and know about the swans! | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2169 Registered: 06-2004 |
Has anyone paddled around in the various canals? Are they all deep enough for canoes and kayaks, or are some too filled? It would be nice to put in on a canal then paddle out to the river. | ||
Dbc Member Username: Dbc Post Number: 42 Registered: 09-2006 |
Thanks Rick, especially for the close up and inside pictures of the pavillion. I couldn't tell it had been refurbished from the earlier pics. I really hope they have ice skating in the winter. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 2180 Registered: 10-2003 |
The reason the Flynn Pavilion has such a nice design is because it was designed by a world famous architect: Eero Saarinen. It's great to see they've fully rehabed the place. I thought that the years of inaction after the 2002 announcment of the grant meant it was another Michigan Central Station announcement. It's great to see real recreation coming back to Belle Isle. These swan boats, while corny, are the exact sort of thing that will create memories and attachment to the park for generations of Metro Detroiters. It will be even better when they expand their rentals to canoes, bikes and other things. This is the sort of thing that will bring Belle Isle back to the gem that it is. | ||
Beadgrl Member Username: Beadgrl Post Number: 133 Registered: 07-2006 |
Those swan boats look like fun! The bf and I will have to get down to the Belle and do some geocaching soon. Belle Isle is such a great place, it's nice to hear they are spiffing it up. | ||
Lakesuperior Member Username: Lakesuperior Post Number: 187 Registered: 06-2005 |
i'm going to a wedding reception at flynn pavilion in about a half hour. i'm wondering if the bride knew that the windows would be overlooking a flock of gigantic swans when she decided to have her event there!  either way, i'm excited to go hang out there! | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 65 Registered: 05-2007 |
My children would love riding in those swans - heck I would too! Regarding the Flynn Pavilion, in the pictures it looks really beautiful, however I don't recall ever seeing it on my many visits to Belle Isle in the 70's and 80's. Can anyone point out where exactly it is located on Belle Isle? What are the nearest cross streets? | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 1653 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: http://www.fobi.org/attraction s.htm quote: | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 69 Registered: 05-2007 |
Pam: Thanks for the website. After perusing the FOBI website, I found no map specifically displaying the location or street name upon which the Flynn Pavilion is located. All: Referring to the following picture, can someone please verify the exact location of the Flynn Pavilion? If memory serves me correctly, the building in the purple rectangle is the Casino Building. So is the Flynn Pavilion the building in the red rectangle on Loiter Way?  | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 620 Registered: 01-2006 |
That is correct. The Flynn faces Lake Takoma. The swans are located right there, but can only travel about half of the lake. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 73 Registered: 05-2007 |
Cool. On my next visit with my family to the Motor, I'll be sure to check it out. | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 548 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey Lakesuperior, where are you? I want to hear all about the Flynn Building Friday night. | ||
Pythonmaster Member Username: Pythonmaster Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2006 |
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ustbeamensch/516848635/ keeping his distance | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11586 Registered: 10-2003 |
We checked them out yesterday, though didn't take a ride on them. It costs $5 for 30 minutes. They said they have been open for 3 weeks now. They've had some days they were quite busy, others that were quite dead, like yesterday for example. That being said, when we checked them out I believe every swan boat was out on the water with one just returning to dock. It really is a cool idea, one in which my girl and I will be returning to check out. The boats looked like they fit up to 4 people. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 136 Registered: 05-2007 |
Here two photographs, circa fall 1994.   | ||
Ewarrenave Member Username: Ewarrenave Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2007 |
Lilpup, yes, I have canoed throughout the island and know the canals pretty well. My Dad used to take my brother, sister and I canoeing all the time on Belle Isle throughout the 1970s. The canoe rental building was located on the first right turn after crossing the McArthur Bridge. Currently, that drive just leads to a Detroit Police Yard and the Harbormaster Station.  You could take the canals throughout the island, but could not go through to "The Lagoon" (at least not when we went). It amuses me that the preliminary layout of Belle Isle was designed by the great Fredrick Law Olmsted, who designed New York's Central Park and Prospect Park (as well as numerous others in Boston and other cities), but he pulled out of the project because the City of Detroit reneged on his payment. - E.WarrenAve | ||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 371 Registered: 11-2005 |
Anyone know how much they cost? I am gonna take my significant today for our 5 year anniversary. | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 111 Registered: 01-2007 |
5.00 for 1/2 hour. We did them a few weeks ago. You don't go very far but it is fun and it is a good workout on the legs. Have fun! | ||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 434 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://www.modeldmedia.com/dev elopmentnews/belleisle101.aspx | ||
Jazzstage Member Username: Jazzstage Post Number: 72 Registered: 08-2007 |
I played with Larry Smith and his group at the Flynn building. At the time, Bert Dearing had opened it as a jazz club. I didn't understand at the time how he got a business in a city park. Does anyone know what what happened with that? |
