DETROIT, Mich. (May 1, 2008) – With the arrival of May, spring cleaning is certainly in the air and the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be doing its part to tidy up its home this weekend.
May is “Motor City Makeover” month in Detroit, as concentrated cleanup efforts are held around the city on the first three Saturdays of the month. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will lend a hand to help make Belle Isle even more beautiful on the first of these cleanup dates – Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Detroit Grand Prix Association volunteers as well as the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix staff will be on hand Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. picking up trash on Belle Isle as well as pulling weeds, painting, sprucing up picnic tables and assisting with all spring cleaning efforts on the island. Grand Prix sponsor Comerica Bank will also bring a dedicated corps of volunteers to assist in the cleanup efforts.
“This marks the second consecutive year that the Grand Prix is assisting with the cleanup on Belle Isle as part of the ‘Motor City Makeover,’” said Bud Denker, Event Chairman of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, to be held August 29-31, 2008. “We’re privileged to have such a beautiful island as a part of our city and we’re excited to do our part to help clean up Belle Isle Park and polish this special jewel after a long winter.”
The sixth annual “Motor City Makeover” takes place on May 3, May 10 and May 17. The cleanup and beautification efforts concentrate on numerous neighborhoods and areas of the city throughout the month.
“I applaud the Detroit Grand Prix Association volunteers in becoming real pillars of our community and participating in ‘Motor City Makeover’ for two consecutive years,” said Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. “The cleanliness of a jewel such as Belle Isle offers a wonderful presentation of Detroit to the thousands of visitors who will be here attending our many events, including the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.”
“We welcome the team from the Grand Prix and Comerica Bank as we focus on cleaning up the city and the island after the winter thaw,” said Alicia Minter, Detroit Recreation Department General Manager-Operations. “With over two million people annually visiting Belle Isle Park, it’s so important to get an early start in the spring and uncover the beauty of the island to help create a family atmosphere at Belle Isle.”
About the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is organized and promoted by a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, whose chairman is Roger Penske. A special charitable organization has been established that enables all net proceeds raised by the Grand Prix to fund measures for the improvement and preservation of Belle Isle. Once again featuring the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series – along with the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship, new for 2008 – the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be held Labor Day weekend, August 29-31, 2008. To learn more about the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, please visit
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