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 Natural 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