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The Street Team Swims Up Stream To The Belle Isle Aquarium

The CW50 Street Team stepped out on a beautiful day to visit Belle Isle and to see the oldest Aquarium in the United States. Yes! The Belle Isle Aquarium is said to be the oldest in the U.S. Closed in 2005, the Aquarium is now reopened and families are swimming in from all over Metro Detroit to see the attraction. The aquarium displays a variety of fishes native to all parts of the world, as well as some Great Lakes locals, and a collection of art work.

Vance Patrick, member of the Belle Isle Conservancy Board and Co-Chair of the Aquarium Committee, was more than excited to greet the Street Team and show off what the aquarium has on display. "We're the only all-volunteer run aquarium in the country and the only aquarium in the state of Michigan," Vance explains to Street Team member Scotty.

Vance has been collecting art, photographs, and other aquarium memorabilia from local sellers to put on display for people to see.

The aquarium also has an arts and crafts table for the kids. There are also classes taught by volunteers from Wayne State University, teaching people about different fish and aquatic life. Not currently up and running, volunteer Thomas Drummy, expresses excitement about a gift shop possibly opening in the aquarium.

The aquarium is open every Saturday from 10am to 3pm and is free for the entire family, though donations are greatly needed and appreciated. The Belle Isle Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit and is another gem of the city to be discovered and explored.

Check out the Belle Isle Conservancy website for more information.

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