The Parks

Belle Isle

Detroit’s largest recreational park, Belle Isle, is less than two miles from all of the Villages. This neighborhood jewel sets just within the American side of the Detroit River, an international waterway that runs between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Canada. Belle Isle Park has a family beach, softball fields, a conservatory with a beautiful walk-through garden, lots of picnic areas, a golf practice area with a five hole bump and run in addition to the driving range, chipping area and putting green, lots of piers for the fishing enthusiasts, a boat museum, light house and a huge water slide for children of all ages. There is also a peacfulness on this island for the moments you want to sit by the shore and watch the ocean going ships go by. If you’re more into nature than ships, the island has a biking trail and plenty of wildlife to mesmerize you from elegant swans and blue herons to deer, geese, seagulls and the occasional loon.

The Dequindre Cut

The newest green space in the area is the Dequindre Cut. This mile long walking and biking trail connects the river walk along the Detroit River to Eastern Market, an historic area full of shops, farmers’ markets and restaurants.

The Riverwalk/Gabriel Richard Park

The Villages are also connected to the Riverwalk at Gabriel Richard Park.  The Riverwalk is Detroit’s newest waterfront recreational park.  Eventually to link from the McArthur Bridge at Belle Isle and Gabriel Richard to the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, the Riverwalk is one of Detroit’s best biking, running and walking paths.  Currently the Riverwalk connects GM’s world headquarters at the Renaissance Center downtown all the way east to Mt. Elliott Park just two blocks south of the western edge of the Villages.

The enclave of the Riverwalk at Gabriel Richard Park includes butterfly gardens, water features for children to play in, restroom facilities and much more to make a day of fun and recreation.

There are more gems within the Villages including Mollicone Park, Maxwell Greenspace, Shipherd Greens Community Garden, Indian Village Centennial Garden and Erma Henderson Park and Marina.