DETROIT – The beloved Giant Slide on Belle Isle has finally reopened this summer.
It was initially planned to reopen Memorial Day Weekend, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said they need more time to put the finishing touches on the slide.
The slide officially opened Friday, June 6, after passing a safety inspection following new safety improvements that were added.
About the Giant Belle Isle Slide
The 40-foot-tall icon has been a popular summer attraction for decades. It originally opened in 1967 and has since left its mark on Detroit culturally and also on several people physically.
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.
On Aug. 17, 2022, the slide was shut down four hours after it opened because riders were going too fast and catching too much air on the way down.
An inspection that year led to a long list of safety changes, including staff training, slide testing, maintenance logs and more.
A lawsuit was filed in 2023 by a woman who claimed the slide injured her children.
The slide reopened in 2024 with new safety improvements, including a new landing pad.
More information on the Giant Slide and other attractions on Belle Isle can be found on the DNR’s website.
