It seems the residents of Detroit will have to cool their jets a bit longer before they can take a wild ride down Belle Isle's iconic Giant Slide. Originally scheduled to reopen its slopes today, plans have skidded to a temporary halt, as reported by MLive. A snafu in delivering new curtains essential for the slide's operation has pushed back the season's start, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) not announcing a new date for the fanfare.
Despite the hiccup, once the slide does open, enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing adrenaline-packed descents Fridays from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., and weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. This scheduling scoop comes courtesy of a statement from WXYZ. The DNR's Parks and Rec Supervisor Tom Bissett, nostalgic for the past, reminded us in 2024, "It's about memories, it's about people being able to come to Belle Isle and enjoy the same thing their parents or their grandparents may have enjoyed and to make those lifelong memories." Carrying on a slippery tradition, the slide has enticed visitors since its construction in 1967. However, it became infamous in 2022 after viral videos showed riders launching into thin air at dangerous speeds.
The Giant Slide's storied past is not without its blemishes—after closing for two years during COVID, it reopened in August 2022 only to shutter again to temper the once treacherous velocity that earned it social media fame, according to The Detroit News. Efforts last year included replacing the rubberized landing zone at the bottom, indicative of the DNR's commitment to safety and a smoother ride.
Looking ahead, Ride-goers must be at least 48 inches tall, take the plunge solo, and zip down in provided potato sacks, as they have for decades. The slide's hill, a towering 40 feet with multiple bumpy lanes, remains a bargain at $1 per ride. Staff may occasionally spritz the track with water to dampen the speed, or as a precaution, sliders can lean forward, and riders are encouraged to nudge the brakes on their descent.
