Belle Isle, a 982-acre urban island park in the Detroit River, attracts over 5 million annual visitors and serves as a treasured recreational hub for area residents. Since becoming a state park in 2014, Belle Isle has experienced increasing transportation network and parking demands due to a significant rise in visitors.

The Belle Isle Multimodal Mobility Plan was initiated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and Belle Isle Conservancy, to address safety and access challenges. Led by Wade Trim, the plan recommends a 10-year phased mitigation strategy for implementing innovative and sustainable actions to improve safety and mobility throughout the park. The plan was honored with a 2025 Planning & Analysis Merit Award by the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

The project team shepherded plan development, coordinating priorities with state agencies, local organizations, and the public. The effort began with a study that acquired thousands of data points to understand the extent of activity on Belle Isle. Improvements were identified using hundreds of cameras placed at popular park destinations, aerial photography used to create orthomosaic image maps, traffic modeling, and other methods. Stakeholder and community engagement were crucial to establish clear communication, gather input, and align project goals with vendors, agencies, over 100 stakeholder groups, and the community.

The resulting 10-year phased plan features major actions that include addressing nonmotorized network gaps, improving wayfinding, and prioritizing pedestrian safety. Focus was also placed on optimizing parking, enhancing bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, and exploring shuttle and ferry services. The visionary, achievable plan aims to keep this iconic park accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for future generations.

Wade Trim Landscape Architects Jordan White (middle) and Rachel Kerr (right) accept the Michigan ASLA Planning & Analysis Merit Award from Awards Chair Stacey Tobar.