Oct 22, 2007 Ron Graham - Belle Isle Parks and Rec By Doug Kurtis

Ron Graham, retired director of Belle Isle Parks and Recreation, played an intregal part in preparing the island for the Free Press Flagstar Marathon.

For a number of years the race finished on the island. During that time he watched the staff and maintenance crew conduct a yeoman’s job of cleaning up around the Belle Isle casino and surrounding park after all the post race celebrating ended.

Prior to the race, the crew would ensure that the streets were well swept and coned properly for traffic coming on and off the island. Parking was a worry. They did their best to condense it to specific areas and along non-running streets. The Island didn’t have the parking areas it does now.

Belle Isle also provided bleachers for spectators which lent the marathon to many exciting finishes. Moving forward to the last few years, the Parks and Recreation has been conscious of integrating the shelters and rest room stations to help not only the runners but the entertainment, fluid and spirit stations.

They have worked closely with Tactical Operations to set up the course properly. In the ‘80’s, crews were up as early as four a.m. setting up barriers and tearing them down after 3 pm.

One year, Parks and Rec. was invited to assist in picking up mile markers and other equipment. From a backstage perspective Graham got a firsthand view of the challenges and obstacles and the marathon staff had to go through.

Graham acknowledged that, “It was exciting to serve on the marathon committee’s early meetings with city organizations as they planned for the event. After watching other marathons like the New York Marathon on TV, I had a better appreciation for how their Parks and Recreation department supported a significant running event. We enjoyed doing our little bit to make Detroit’s marathon a success.”

“As more events were added to the marathon there was a little more strain on the department but we did our best to take care of our guests. Normally things like the Scott fountain would be shut down by October but we fulfilled the request to have one the island’s jewels spraying for the marathoners.”

“Runners might want to take the time to learn the history of the island and its expansion. Today runners can experience wonderful panoramic views of Windsor and Detroit from Belle Isle. When they cross the MacArthur Bridge, they run over its third version, the first two were destroyed by fire.”

This year’s Grand Prix will enhance the marathon. The new paddock will create more room for parking and accommodate a relay exchange at the Prix’s finish line.

One of Graham’s roles was to gather information that would affect the park and minimize the impact to other guests, such as the Yacht Club and Dossin Great Lakes Museum. The club volunteered as an aid station for several years. At the same time they managed to accommodate a wedding reception as the race progressed.

Graham suggested that runners may want to come back to Belle Isle at a later date. “It has been dubbed the seventh best park in the U.S. when were rated in 1997. It offers the opportunity to fish, golf (the only lit golf course in the city), picnic or just sit and watch the mammoth ships pass by. There is even a white sandy beach with palm trees. The opera house is helping with the band shell’s restoration and Detroit’s Zoological Society is now operating some interesting programs interpreting wildlife at the new Nature Zoo. Runners who remember crossing paths with some of the deer in the middle of the island should know that they are now contained at the zoo.”

Belle Isle accommodates many events throughout the year such as charity walks, Metro Detroit Youth Day, in line skating races and a triathlon.