Is there any information on Belleville Point Park or association owned at one time by Detroit Edison?

Answer 1

I use to there every Summer almost every day, I lived close by and my dad worked for Edison. Very fond memories. It is now Van Buren Park, Edison sold it to them for $1.00

Additional Information:

Belleville Point property was orginally purchased by Detroit Edison in 1905 under a subsidiary called Eastern Michigan Edison Co. as part of a plan to establish hydro power plants along the Huron River. In the case of Belleville Point, the French Landing Dam and Hydro Plant was completed in 1925. This dam created Belleville Lake. It's located east of the city of Belleville near haggerty Rd. Edison closed the hydro plant in 1962 and sold the dam along with other property including Belleville Point park in 1973. Money was very tight for Edison at the time and the Michigan Public Service Commission was also questioning the operation of the park and dam when Edison was requesting a rate increase. Operating and maintaining the dam was expensive and hence, the sale for $1.00.

Belleville Point Park was opened in 1947. It was/is surrounded by water. Belleville Lake is on the south side while a wide unnamed creek runs along the north side. The main entrance was off Denton Rd. from the east and down a steep, narrow dirt road. At the bottom of the road was a small dam for the creek. Then a trip up the road to the park. The main part of the park was oval shaped with parking all around the perimeter road. The center of the park was an open grassy area for picnics and games. All buildings were log cabin types. The first building was the guard house where visitors needed to check in. The other building in the main park was the restroom. An old locomotive train engine from Delray Power Plant sat in the small playground area near the east side. The playground also had a slide, swings, and a large merry-go-round. The merry-go-round was suspended from a central pole which had arms extending outward. Chains hung from the arms to hold a large circular seating area which held as many as two dozens children. An F86 jet plane was also installed for children to play on, but was located away from the playground.

A second section of the park was a downward hike (no road) to the point walking south towards the lake. At the start of the path was another log structure which housed a small restaurant and a dance floor. At the bottom of the path was a log change house and the beach. The swimming area was roped off and had lifeguards.

A third section of the park was located west of the main park and contained a camping area. Another downward and then upward road trip was needed to access this area. Beyond the camping section was more land owned by Edison and used by the Overhead Lines Dept. for storage of trucks, etc. A second road leading out of the park area existed west of this area.