Belle Isle begins transition toward state park
time for a new thread to track the progress...
About three-dozen groups are committing time, talent and in some cases money to improving Belle Isle as the park transitions over the next two months from city to state control.
The state Department of Naturalhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png Resources begins managing the 985-acre island park in the middle of the Detroit River in mid-February under a 30-year lease.
On Tuesday, agency Director Keith Creagh will introduce partnerships in revamping the park, which has seen a cutback in city repairs and maintenance as Detroit succumbed to debt and budget deficits. A federal judge last week allowed Detroit to become the largest U.S. city to enter bankruptcy.
The state budget sets aside $2.5 million for management of Belle Isle, but Creagh is looking for help from all quarters, whether through funding or sweat.
“It’s absolutely about the partners,” he said. “When people heard we were involved, they said, how could they be helpful?”
http://www.freep.com/article/2013121...036/1001/rss01
another article... lots of good points
"So far, more than 40 companies, government groups, trade and volunteer associations and others have pledged financial or other support, ranging from the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Wayne County Parks and Recreation, the Lake St. Clair Walleye Association and the National Parks Service".
"Michelle Hodges, president of Belle Isle Conservancy, called Tuesday a “milestone day” for the island, with commitments continuing to come in for major funding from individuals, corporations and philanthropic groups.
“We can’t be an island to ourselves if we expect to succeed,” Hodges said".
http://www.freep.com/article/2013121...ing-volunteers
Personally, I think that the Belle Isle Conservancy president's "can't be an island" comment speaks to the "usage demographics" quite well... It's a great thing to see Regional teamwork on this scale.