"When Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says everything is on the table he means it –- even Belle Isle.

Bing, speaking this afternoon to the Free Press editorial board, said in an effort to streamline Detroit's government he has been talking to Gov. Rick Snyder about the Department of Natural Resources about possibly managing the 1,000-acre city jewel.

"We're trying to do way too much and we don't have the resources to do it," Bing said.

Whether the state's assistance translates into mere advice or transforming Belle Isle into state park number 102 is still a matter up for discussion, said Geralyn Lasher, spokeswoman for Snyder.

"When you're looking at the DNR [[Department of Natural Resources) and our parks' system, this is what they do best," she said. "And this is one of the areas we've been looking at."

The state has the professionals and expertise in running and maintaining parks and Belle Isle presents an opportunity for the state to help the city, she said.

"There's not an agreement yet and nothing is set in stone," she said, noting that one of the goals of DNR director Rodney Stokes is to provide more access to state parks to the state's urban residents.

"He's been very focused on really trying to create opportunities for getting people from the cities into the state parks," Lasher added.

The William G. Milliken State Park, along the Detroit River in Detroit, is one of the newest state parks and was dedicated in 2009. It is the only state park in Michigan which doesn't require an entrance fee.

If a Michigan resident wants to go to any state park, they'll pay a $10 fee for a recreation passport which will last for a year.

Snyder has been talking with the Mayor for more than a year about ways the state could assist the city, including parks' discussion. Any resolution of the matter would be a part of a consent agreement, Lasher said."


http://www.freep.com/article/20120309/NEWS01/120309044/Mayor-Bing-talks-state-about-Belle-Isle