DETROIT – The beloved Giant Slide on Belle Isle that turned into a viral sensation in 2022 will make a big return this summer -- but this time, things will be a little different.
Read: Iconic, controversial, infamous Belle Isle slide to reopen this summer
After taking a few years off due to COVID, the slide returned with a bang in 2022 and quickly went viral and gained international attention after sending people flying.
While many are looking forward to the slide’s return, some feel their sliding days may be behind them.
“I think it is one of the attractions of Belle Isle,” said Eddie McDougle. “It is something to bring the young people out.”
“I have never ridden that slide but I have seen people come down and when they got off, they were pretty well spent,” said Wilhemena Jones. “It was just so fast.”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources shut the slide down shortly after it reopened in 2022 due to safety reasons. While the slide is returning this summer, visitors should be prepared for a slower speed.
An inspection that year led to a long list of safety changes, including staff training, slide testing, maintenance logs and more.
“I will try it,” said McDougle. “But not a second time.”
New safety improvements will be introduced this year to lower the risk of injury on the slide, including a new landing pad to be installed at the slide’s base.
“Certainly have to monitor it throughout the day as the slide dries out throughout the day when the sun hits it,” said Tom Bissett, with the Michigan DNR. “We have to spray it down with a little bit of water and keep that down just a little bit so we don’t get any launching off the top.”
The Giant Slide’s opening date has not been set as the DNR said it will depend on when the necessary upgrades and improvements are completed.
More information on the Giant Slide and other attractions on Belle Isle can be found on the DNR’s website.