Parks and recreation: Detroit at play

In 1901, strolling around Belle Isle was what all the cool people were doing.

A woman on Belle Isle watches a sailboat pass on the Detroit River in the 1900s.

Women in their swimming attire stand on the beach at Belle Isle, in this undated photo.

A zookeeper feeds the seals at the Belle Isle Zoo,1920.

Skating on Belle Isle, date unknown.

Canoeing on the canals of Belle Isle in 1920.

The ice skating rink at the Michigan State Fairgrounds is busy in 1925.

The Detroit Zoological Park's miniature railroad system has carried millions of people since it was donated by The Detroit News in 1931, when it became apparent that visitors couldn't take in all the sights at the zoo in one day on foot.

Young people relax on the canal outside the canoe and skating pavilion on Belle Isle in 1934.

Water Works Park's lagoon is jammed with young waders on a hot July day in 1936.

Kids play in the Edison Fountain at Grand Circus Park in the summer of 1936.

The fun house mirror during a visit to Edgewater Park during the summer of 1936.

Kids at a police picnic at Edgewater Park ride on the Caterpillar during the summer of 1937.

Vistors dress up for a trip to the Detroit Zoo in 1937.

In 1939, the Rackham Memorial Fountain was dedicated. It became one of the most famous "meeting places" in the zoo. The fountain was named after Horace Rackham, first president of the Zoological Commission.

Senior girls race during the Detroit Ice Skating Championship meet at Belle Isle on Feb. 4, 1939.

A friendly policeman allows children to swim in the fountain at Grand Circus despite a posting that warns otherwise on July 25, 1941.

Former Detroit Tiger and Detroit City Council member William"Billy" Rogell teaches students the correct way to hold a bat at his baseball school on Belle Isle in 1942.

Florence Pianelle and Joseph Candela enjoy the spring-like weather on Belle Isle in the summer of 1946.

Gene Russell hits a backhand shot on his way to defeating Jimmy Bicknell for the city singles title in August 1946 at the Detroit Tennis Club.

Passengers load the Boblo Island boat Columbia at the boarding dock in this undated photo.

Riders catch a breeze as they watch the river drift by from the Boblo boat.

A young couple share an amusement ride together at Edgewater Park in this undated photo.

A loaded toboggan is set for a fast ride down the slopes of Redford Golf Club in January 1947. From left are June Browne, Buela Whipple, Joann Whipple, Martha Whipple, Dona Whipple and Beatrice McCash.

A young girl tries to feed the baby goats at Belle Isle Zoo in May, 1950.

Eleanor Cottern, Margaret Campione and Carmelita Cotter keep cool in the Scott Fountain on Belle Isle in 1953.

Wesley Wood, 14, at bat, and Delvin Bruce, 12, play scrub baseball at Palmer Park in Detroit, March 1954.

Three young boys try to knock down milk jugs at Edgewater Park during the summer of 1955.

Kids enjoy a ride at Jefferson Beach Amusement Park circa 1957.

A group of young Detroit protesters demand that Water Works Park, which had been closed in 1951, be reopened. After years of protests like this one in 1954, part of the park was finally reopened in 1957.

Carol Ottati, Mary Babcock, Edith Lippert and Pat Kaercher pose in the uniforms of the City of Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation during the summer of 1958.

James Cashen keeps cool at Belle Isle Beach in 1958, as son Peter acts as his outboard motor.

Riders enjoy the spinning amusement park rides on Boblo Island in this undated photo.

Visitors enjoy a ride on the Boblo Island roller coaster in this undated photo.

A mother and daughter feed the deer at the Belle Isle Zoo in 1960.

Detroit Red Wings coach Sid Abel goes bowling with friends in December 1962.

Lean Neal, 3, plays with a hula hoop in Detroit's Patton Park in 1970.

People catch some sun and some fish at Riverside Park at the foot of West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, April 1971.

Judy Valade of Dearborn splashes in the fountain on Belle Isle in 1973.

Opening day ride on the roller coaster at Edgewater Park in April 1975.

Children around the Gladstone and Hazelwood area of Detroit enjoy a rare summer treat of swimming. The Detroit Parks and Recreation Department had a SwimMobile in the summer of 1982, which was essentially a semi-trailer filled with water that could be relocated to any neighborhood.

A child fishes at Belle Isle in 1985.

Sean Bender, 15, of West Bloomfield shows his prowess on the skateboard during a visit to downtown Detroit in August 1986.