Garden designed by internationally known designer Piet Odolf approved for Belle Isle

He is said to be open to additional Detroit commissions, as well

Will be present at Detroit Film Theatre screening of film on his work

Internationally renowned designer Piet Oudolf has agreed to design a garden for Belle Isle and is open to additional commissions in Detroit.

The island garden will be planted on a 1.5-acre, grassy site near the Nancy Brown Peace Memorial Carillon and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, a site chosen by Oudolf himself during a visit to Detroit earlier this year.

The Dutch-born Oudolf is considered by many to be a modern-day Frederick Law Olmsted, the 19th-century designer credited with much of the original design for Belle Isle, as well as New York City's Central Park. He worked on design of the High Line park in New York City — which transformed an old elevated rail line into a public space — and the Lurie Garden in Chicago.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which manages Belle Isle, approved the Detroit project early in December.

The Garden Club of Michigan, which led the effort to bring an Oudolf garden to Belle Isle, has raised $150,000 to cover his commission and travel expenses from his home in the Netherlands.

Additional fundraising for the $2.7 million project — which would include an endowment for maintenance and operation — will be led by Oudolf Garden Detroit. Among the group's members are Maura Campbell, immediate past president of the Garden Club and fellow board member Jean Hudson, who've co-chaired the effort to bring Oudolf to Detroit, along with other members of the club and other local supporters.

The Belle Isle Conservancy has agreed to serve as fiduciary for the fundraising effort.