The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Belle Isle Conservancy, completed the Belle Isle Multimodal Mobility Study to develop a 10-year transportation plan to improve safety and mobility throughout Belle Isle Park. This historic, 982-acre island park in the Detroit River has experienced increased transportation network and parking demands from 5 million annual visitors since it became a state park in 2014. Wade Trim led the study and plan development, coordinating priorities with state agencies, local organizations, and the public. The project was recognized by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Michigan Chapter with an Innovative Transportation Solutions Award for improving the quality of life for park users and the community.
WTS Michigan was founded in 1998 to support the advancement of women in Michigan’s transportation industry. This study, led by Traffic Engineer Lori Pawlik, PE, PTOE, RSP1, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team that included 21 women from Wade Trim, MDNR, MDOT, Belle Isle Conservancy, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Elnora Austell & Associates, LivingLab, and Corbin Design. These women helped shape the project’s success, leveraging their diverse expertise to craft a plan that addresses the unique needs of this iconic park.
The team spent 2.5 years developing the plan, which involved observing and analyzing traffic patterns and engaging with stakeholders to pinpoint and address inefficiencies in the transportation network. Data collected was used to count and analyze turning movements of vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and bicycles; model congestion patterns; estimate future visitor numbers; and identify areas needing improvement. In addition, traffic modeling of alternative improvements was conducted to gain insight into operations for typical days and high-visitor days during the summer.
The plan’s phased mitigation strategy focuses on solutions to improve access and wayfinding, reduce congestion to enhance safety, connect multimodal networks, and right-size parking. Immediate improvements have reduced lanes on the outer park road, reducing crashes by 90% near the park entry and exit, and added the 5.8-mile Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail, a dedicated, two-way, non-motorized track around the island. Installation of a uniform wayfinding system and a centrally located parking lot is progressing and set to be completed in summer 2026. Study recommendations will continue to guide efforts to improve the visitor experience while preserving the park’s natural and cultural resources.
Wade Trim Transportation Engineers (front row) Christina Jaenisch, Hannah Wetzel, Kristy Thullen, (back row) Phoebe Glazko, Bridget Bienkowski, and Lori Pawlik celebrated at the WTS Michigan Chapter Awards Banquet at the Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton on March 26, 2026.
