DETROIT, Mich. (August 24, 2007) – This Labor Day weekend, Belle Isle will echo with the roar of race engines, the cheers of Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix spectators – and the laughter of children as they swing, slide and climb on a newly rejuvenated playground built by corporate resident Bridgestone Firestone Original Equipment Tire (BFOE). A grand opening ceremony for the new playground was held earlier this morning.

“Our hope is that the new playground will make a difference in the health and happiness of our city’s children,” said Michael Martini, President, Original Equipment Consumer Tire, BFOE.

The playground is located on the southeast corner of the island park, next to the Newsboy Picnic Shelter #1, and features fun activities for children, including four swings and a play system complete with a stainless steel slide, trunk climber, overhead loop ladder, laced climbing wall and Xcelerator spinner.

All 2,700 square feet of play space is canvassed with an environmentally friendly Flexi-Pave™ surface – an impact-absorbing material made, fittingly, from recycled tires and manufactured by Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP). The porous, flexible and durable Flexi-Pave surface allows rainwater to pass through it and return to the water table.

The playground will also be a featured attraction of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, as it is located in the middle of the midway area for race fans to enjoy.

“For more than a century, Belle Isle has helped bring families closer together through play, discovery and leisure,” said Alicia Minter, General Manager-Operations, Detroit Recreation Department. “The playground is a wonderful gift our youngsters will enjoy for years to come.”

The playground on Belle Isle is one of many community outreach initiatives embraced by BFOE, in its efforts to help bring world-class auto racing back to the Motor City at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix – featuring the cars of the American Le Mans Series and the IndyCar Series, Labor Day weekend at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park.

Firestone will also host a number of children on Free Prix Day presented by Comerica Bank, Friday, Aug. 31, as part of its Racing For Kids® sponsorship. Founded in Detroit in 1989, Racing For Kids is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children. For more information or to donate, visit www.racingforkids.org.

Annual philanthropic contributions by BFOE include Habitat for Humanity® Detroit and The Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology’s ‘EyesOn Design’ benefit.

To learn more about the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, visit www.detroitgp.com.

For more information about the history of Belle Isle, as well as a calendar of current scheduled events, visit the official Web site of the City of Detroit at www.detroitmi.gov.