Belle Isle Slide Closes After Riders Bounce, Scream Their Way Down

DETROIT — Well the hype, nostalgia and excitement for the grand reopening of the Giant Slide at Belle Isle was short-lived, as riders bounced and screamed all the way down, forcing officials to close the ride back down for speed repairs.

A Facebook video showed riders speeding down the slide, bouncing into the air and landing back down on the slide's metal frame. The unforgiving hard surface was sure to leave a mark, as some children were seen limping away.

Watch the video here.

Belle Isle officials announced on Facebook they were closing the slide to make adjustments.

"We are currently closed. We are going to be making some adjustments to the speed that we have seen users coming down today," Belle Isle officials said. "Hopefully after our small adjustment we will be back up and running and the slide will be slower for more enjoyment."

The slide reopened Friday morning at Belle Isle after it was shutdown for the pass two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The six-lane slide was expected tp be open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. It cost $1 and you must be 48 inches tall to ride.