Belanger Park is the 9.5-acre flagship park of the City of River Rouge's recreation system and offers the city's 10,000 residents their only public access and view of the Detroit River. It is located in the heart of industry yet provides an excellent recreational facility on the river for residents of River Rouge and neighboring communities, and employees of area industries. Recent restoration efforts have made the park an attractive, waterfront retreat offering access to the Detroit River for boating, fishing, and picnicking. The city initiated a two-phase, $1 million restoration of the park in 1997 and completed the improvements in 1999. Today, patrons will find a waterfront gazebo, two picnic pavilions, a walking path surrounding a play area for children, and parking and restroom facilities. Belanger Park is now used extensively year-round for fishing, and on summer weekends the boardwalk is crowded with spectators and anglers. From the boardwalk, park patrons enjoy spectacular views of the Detroit skyline and freighter traffic.