Belle Isle Aquarium, Conservatory celebrate 110th birthday, DNR hosts open house, Aug. 16

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 08/08/2014 01:00 PM EDT

Arts and crafts, yoga, hustle dance lessons, complimentary Recreation Passports, open house and more part of the festivities
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Belle Isle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 8, 2014

Contact: Tina Kozak (Franco Public Relations Group), 313-567-5044; Darlisa Rickman (DNR, open house contact), 313-396-6862; Tatiana Grant (Infused PR, BLISS contact), 248-914-4578


Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory celebrate 110th birthday;
DNR hosts open house

Festivities include arts and crafts, yoga, hustle and ballroom lessons, complimentary Recreation Passports and open house with DNR and partners

Visitors to Belle Isle will experience a multitude of events and celebrations Saturday, Aug. 16. The Belle Isle Conservancy and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are celebrating the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory’s 110th birthday from 1-5 p.m., Belle Isle Summer Saturdays (BLISS) events throughout the day at various locations around the island and a meet-and-greet of Belle Isle Park staff and partners in an open house from 1-4 p.m. at the Flynn Pavilion.

Aquarium Anniversary Celebration
Part of BLISS, the birthday celebration will feature free, family-friendly activities to celebrate the 110 years the aquarium and conservatory have served as cultural institutions. The birthday celebration will include free goodies, giveaways, vintage games, arts and crafts, face painting, and more from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  at the Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory. During the celebration, the Belle Isle Conservancy will be offering limited edition t-shirts and coffee mugs for sale.

“This has been a great summer so far, and we’re really looking forward to celebrating with the Aug. 16 birthday party,” said Michele Hodges, president of the Belle Isle Conservancy.  “This event really shows the power of collaboration to create experiences for our guests.”

In honor of the aquarium’s anniversary, a gift has been made by donors who were drawn to the uniqueness of the building, quality of design and the opportunity to show their children and future generations the importance of preserving something that stands the test of time. Their donation allows for the restoration of two skylights that have been shuttered since 1954, as well as the renovation of the small tank alcove in the rear of the building to bring a fish exhibit back to the aquarium.

“The restoration project is symbolic of Detroit’s tough times as well as its rejuvenation, and symbolic of a small group of volunteers linked by commitment and conviction that the aquarium is important and here today,” said donors Randy and Trayce Fenton. “By restoring the skylights, the original Albert Kahn design of natural light is restored.  For our family and many others that need to let light back into their lives, we are dedicating this project in loving memory of our son.”

The restoration work on the skylight project is scheduled to be finished in September.

BLISS Summer Saturday Events
The anniversary celebration is part of the larger BLISS Summer Saturday series of events on the island. From 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., BLISS presenting sponsor Charter One will provide complimentary Recreation Passports on a first-come, first-served basis to those who register at the information table, located at the Belle Isle Aquarium. The Recreation Passport is required for entry to Michigan state parks, including Belle Isle Park. Featured BLISS activities include:

  • Yoga from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Conservatory Gardens (first 50 participants each month receive complimentary Recreation Passports, courtesy of Kind Snack Bars);
  • Hustle and ballroom lessons from 1-3 p.m. at the area next to the Flynn Pavilion (directional signage will guide attendees);
  • Kid Zone from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the aquarium, with arts and crafts, snow cones, DJ, moonwalk and more, sponsored by Cornerstone Schools;
  • Vintage baseball game from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the athletic fields, presented by The Henry Ford;
  • Food concessions from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at various locations (pricing based on vendor);
  • Family-friendly painting lessons from 11 a.m. - 1p.m. at the Flynn Pavilion by Paint and Pour for $25; and
  • Kayaking at the Belle Isle Beach from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. by Detroit River Sports (fees: $15/hour single, $20/hour tandem).

BLISS will wrap up Sept. 20 with the Belle Isle Biergarten, a vintage-style beer garden experience, presented by the Belle Isle Conservancy’s Emerging Patrons Council.

Belle Isle Open House
The Belle Isle Park open house, hosted by the DNR, will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the Flynn Pavilion Aug. 16. Take the opportunity to meet DNR Belle Isle Park staff, DNR Law Enforcement Division conservation officers, DNR outreach and education program staff, Michigan State Police officers, Belle Isle Conservancy staff, and representatives from partner organizations including the U.S. Coast Guard – Belle Isle Station.

In addition to a meet-and-greet, those stopping by the open house can enjoy interactive games, face painting, a bounce house, music, refreshments and gift giveaways. Conservation officers also will have equipment on display, including boats and patrol cars that visitors can explore.

“We encourage visitors to take this opportunity to meet staff dedicated to the revitalization of Belle Isle, ask questions, enjoy conversations and engage in games and fun for the entire family,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief. “The Detroit community is instrumental in the park’s revitalization, and the DNR and our many partner organizations appreciate the opportunity to meet Detroit-area residents who care so deeply about the island.”

While on Belle Isle, stop by the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, and the Belle Isle Aquarium, which now has extended days and hours, open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays . The Scott Fountain runs 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily through Labor Day. For additional attractions and their hours of operation, visit www.belleisleconservancy.org or www.belleislepark.org.

About the Belle Isle Conservancy
The Belle Isle Conservancy's mission is to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the natural environment, historic structures and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all – now and forever. On Feb. 10, 2014, historic Belle Isle joined Michigan’s expansive, award-winning park system as Michigan’s 102nd state park. The Belle Isle Conservancy is responsible for generating substantial funds for improvement projects and cultural programs throughout the island. For more information, visit belleisleconservancy.org.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.