First there was sand in the southern portion of Campus Martius Park.
Now there are workers and wood.
The workers are taking the first steps in creating a space in the park for a northern Michigan-style beach, a recreation spot with a wooden deck, beach furniture, umbrellas, sand sculpture and music.
With the permanent fountain gurgling nearby, visitors will be able to imagine themselves at the edge of a lake up north, kind of like residents of Paris can imagine themselves at the distant Mediterranean when they hang out on the bank of the Seine in the City of Light.
The space, about 5,000 square feet in the park's southeast corner, is next to the Civil War monument and adjacent to area reserved for tables and chairs.
The area will be programmed with different activities, with the possibility of time for children from nearby daycare in the morning and a cocktail hour for adults in the evening. Fountain Bistro is just steps away.
The area also will be open for general relaxing, like much of the rest of the popular park, which has won national recognition for its design and operations.
The Detroit-style beach should be operating by June. No public money is involved.
