Local businesses are being encouraged to bid for contracts to operate concession and vendor services on Belle Isle Park. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of informative meetings to assist potential vendors in applying to do business on the largest city-owned island park in the U.S.
According to the DNR, available business opportunities include food services, outdoor sports equipment rentals, and beach equipment rentals. Interested businesses must attend one of the following meetings in order to be considered for a contract:
- Golf driving range (Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.)
- Watercraft/bike/snow sport rentals (Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m.)
- Porta-Potty and hand-wash rentals (Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.)
- Mobile food and mobile ice cream (Thursday, Dec. 18 at 9 a.m.)
- Mobile toy and beach rental (Thursday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.)
- Carriage ride (Thursday, Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m.)
- Kids’ Row concession store (Thursday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m.)
- Athletic complex (Friday, Dec. 19 at 9 a.m.)
The hour-long meetings will be held at Flynn Pavilion, located on the island's Lake Tacoma, which is near the intersection of Picnic Way and Loiter Way. Representatives from the DNR will be on hand to answer any questions prospective bidders may have about operating on the island in 2015.
2015 marks the first full year that
Belle Isle will be under state control since the city of Detroit leased the island park to Michigan under a 30-year deal in 2014. The deal was pursued and signed by former Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. An $11 Recreation Passport is now required to enter the park, a year-long pass that grants access to all 102 State Parks throughout Michigan.
Winners of the bids will join Detroit Disc Golf. That group successfully negotiated with the DNR to operate
a disc golf course on Belle Isle in 2014.
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources press release
Writer: MJ Galbraith
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