Set against the backdrop of Detroit’s popular Belle Isle, the ADA Playground on Oakway Road invites kids of all ages and abilities to climb, zip and explore in a space designed for adventure and inclusion.
Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park contains 985 acres of family-friendly activities and stunning natural landscapes. The island park is found on the Detroit River just east of downtown.
Found within the park is the ADA Playground on Oakway Road, located next to the Belle Isle Nature Center. Sporting nature-themed equipment, the park has numerous features like a zip line, rock wall, swings, slides and play structures for children of all ages and abilities.
What People are Saying: “This is an AMAZING new playground that is a must-stop if you are looking for something active to add to your day at Belle Isle. Great for all ages. Zip line, slides, merry-go-round, a boat…bathrooms and water fountain at the nature center or port-a-potties outside. Special needs friendly with ramps that go up into the structure.” –Dane Peterson, Google Review.
Location and Hours:
- Belle Isle Park: 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit. Individual facilities have independent operating hours.
- ADA Playground: 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Oakway Road, Detroit.
Know Before You Go
- Belle Isle requires a Recreation Passport to drive onto the property. Passports are $14 and can be purchased at the time of license plate registration renewal or at the park entrance through a DNR Customer Service Center. Transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists do not require a passport.
- The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) offers bus service to the island via the No. 12 Conant route. Passengers are dropped off at the Belle Island Aquarium Entrance. Buses run every 60 minutes from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Sunday.
- Restrooms closest to the playground are located across the street at the Nature Center.
- While there are no restaurants on the island, a variety of food trucks visit the area from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Browse the selection or pack a meal and enjoy a picnic in the park’s green spaces.
- Plan ahead and check out the park map.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory: Standing as the oldest continually running conservatory in the United States, this local treasure houses 13 acres of rare plants from around the world. The building contains five unique greenhouses, a lily-koi pond and outdoor gardens.
- Belle Isle Aquarium: This facility is the oldest aquarium in the country, housing aquatic species from all over the world. Visit familiar favorites like stingray, seashorses and pufferfish.
- Belle Isle Golf: Equipped with Toptracer technology, this course contains a 300-yard-long driving range, chip and putt course, practice area and free club rentals.
- Belle Isle Nature Center: With various animal habitats, interactive exhibits and rotating programs, this facility showcases Michigan’s wildlife in new and exciting ways.
- Oudolf Garden Detroit: This world-class garden is divided into four displays, collectively containing 97,710 plants spanning over three and a half acres.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum: This display shares Detroit’s vital part in the Great Lakes maritime history. The space hosts a variety of exhibits, films and other programming.
- Step into nature and enjoy recreational activities like boating, hiking, cycling, fishing and wildlife watching.
