belle isle still free

[Király]

Don't need a toll booth. Your $11.00 a year car fee is to be paid from your state taxes, i.e. bank transfers or go to your local Secretary of State Office.

How do visitors in out-of-state vehicles pay? Or do they get a free pass?

[jcole]

How do visitors in out-of-state vehicles pay? Or do they get a free pass?

From a couple of posts above:

• Non-Michigan registered vehicle purchase options
  Owners of non-Michigan registered vehicles can purchase a Recreation Passport at a state park or recreation area - including at Belle Isle Park - or online at www.michigan.gov/estore. Recreation Passports are not available online for Michigan-registered vehicles.

[jt1]

As I understand it, some days, the general public will be able to check out the technology demonstrations. Other days, it will be closed to the general public.

A promo for the conference and Detroit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvNwUPEJEkE

I'm curious if the State has shut down other state parks to the public for something like this. Is this another case of the state doing something different to/for Detroit.

I don't like the idea that they can just shut down a park and tell residents tough shit. As it is residents in the area are now paying for state parks, Wayne County parks, city parks and HCMA parks but the one closest to them will be shut down.

[Honky Tonk]

I'm curious if the State has shut down other state parks to the public for something like this. Is this another case of the state doing something different to/for Detroit.

I don't like the idea that they can just shut down a park and tell residents tough shit. As it is residents in the area are now paying for state parks, Wayne County parks, city parks and HCMA parks but the one closest to them will be shut down.

Did you like it when Penske or Metallica shut down the park and told the residents "tough shit", or do you just have a personal beef with the State?

[Gannon]

How do visitors in out-of-state vehicles pay? Or do they get a free pass?

They're not allowed.

[Gannon]

Did you like it when Penske or Metallica shut down the park and told the residents "tough shit", or do you just have a personal beef with the State?

I don't think ANY event should be allowed to completely shut down the park from regular use...none of 'em take up the whole island while they're operating. The concert came the closest, but we don't have to worry about it any longer...they're gone.

[jt1]

Did you like it when Penske or Metallica shut down the park and told the residents "tough shit", or do you just have a personal beef with the State?

Didn't/don't like either and think the city royally screwed those up as well. The difference is that the city's incompetence was known and the state was supposed to make this a better park for residents as well as anyone out of the city. Painting themselves as saviors of the park then pulling this stuff is no different than the cities indifference and incompetence.

The city letting Penske cement over a chunk of the park is the worst thing that has been done to the park in my lifetime.

[Honky Tonk]

Didn't/don't like either and think the city royally screwed those up as well. The difference is that the city's incompetence was known and the state was supposed to make this a better park for residents as well as anyone out of the city. Painting themselves as saviors of the park then pulling this stuff is no different than the cities indifference and incompetence.

The city letting Penske cement over a chunk of the park is the worst thing that has been done to the park in my lifetime.

I totally agree with you regarding the two highlighted statements. However after 50 years of incompetence and neglect, I don't know what people expect in just a couple of months. The difference in the Penske/Metallica stuff, and the State stuff, is Snyder appears to be wining and dining potential investors in the City, where the other two seemed to be out for personal gain. [[granted there are grey areas within both) I'm a daily/weekly visitor to the island, [[as one of the troopers was kind enough to point out to me) and I can see slight improvements in the Isle, and I still feel it's heading in the right direction. Think about it, ITS WORLD Conference, right here, on Beautiful Belle Isle. It's time for everyone to put on our happy faces, and smile and wave @ the tourists.

[Wesley Mouch]

Maybe I missed it on this thread... but what's the actual on-the-ground situation. Is there a sign at entrance saying this is a State Park fee area? What are rangers and police doing to enforce the situation? I take it there's not a 'toll booth' -- but many parks don't have a toll booth. Many smaller national parks and monuments simply have a 'hey, you should pay here' box... and quietly advise that you are subject to fines if you don't. Like a lot of bus systems around the world. You can ride the bus in Rio without a ticket. But if you're caught, you are killed.

I would guess that the enforcement is rather gentle at this point. Officers probably suggesting to people that they get their pass, and helping them with resources. And over time that'll shift to being a little stronger.

What's the story?

[Honky Tonk]

Maybe I missed it on this thread... but what's the actual on-the-ground situation. Is there a sign at entrance saying this is a State Park fee area? What are rangers and police doing to enforce the situation? I take it there's not a 'toll booth' -- but many parks don't have a toll booth. Many smaller national parks and monuments simply have a 'hey, you should pay here' box... and quietly advise that you are subject to fines if you don't. Like a lot of bus systems around the world. You can ride the bus in Rio without a ticket. But if you're caught, you are killed.

I would guess that the enforcement is rather gentle at this point. Officers probably suggesting to people that they get their pass, and helping them with resources. And over time that'll shift to being a little stronger.

What's the story?

I'll ask them tonight and let everyone know.

[jcole]

Maybe I missed it on this thread... but what's the actual on-the-ground situation. Is there a sign at entrance saying this is a State Park fee area? What are rangers and police doing to enforce the situation? I take it there's not a 'toll booth' -- but many parks don't have a toll booth. Many smaller national parks and monuments simply have a 'hey, you should pay here' box... and quietly advise that you are subject to fines if you don't. Like a lot of bus systems around the world. You can ride the bus in Rio without a ticket. But if you're caught, you are killed.

I would guess that the enforcement is rather gentle at this point. Officers probably suggesting to people that they get their pass, and helping them with resources. And over time that'll shift to being a little stronger.

What's the story?

There is no enforcement the first year. Again from my post above:

• Access now through January 2015
  The Recreation Passport is directly tied to your Michigan vehicle license plate registration renewal. Throughout Belle Isle's first year of the Recreation Passport requirement, a vehicle can access the island without a Recreation Passport until the owner's next registration renewal date. For example, if a vehicle license plate registration renewal date is August 2014, then the Passport is not needed on that vehicle until August. Likewise, if the renewal date is December 2014, then the Passport is not needed until December. Once a full year has cycled [[February 2015), all vehicles entering the park must have a Recreation Passport.

Therefore they don't need a gatehouse, a shed or a "Hey, pay here" box until after the 2014 season. I'm sure by that time they will have put up something to use as Checkpoint Charlie

[Lowell]

What is that Lowell, a policecar? It's been a while since I've seen one of those on Belle Isle. I mean, especially since this one actually looks like it's doing something, besides joy-riding.

No more joy rides from here. This station always had 3-4 police cars parked by it. I've never seen it empty like this. I heard this Albert Kahn beauty will be renovated for State Park Administration.

[Honky Tonk]

No more joy rides from here. This station always had 3-4 police cars parked by it. I've never seen it empty like this. I heard this Albert Kahn beauty will be renovated for State Park Administration.

I heard it was going to be redone as the Belle Isle Welcome Center. And yes, there were always 4 or 5 Detroit Police cars PARKED there.

[Honky Tonk]

There is no enforcement the first year. Again from my post above:

Therefore they don't need a gatehouse, a shed or a "Hey, pay here" box until after the 2014 season. I'm sure by that time they will have put up something to use as Checkpoint Charlie

I don't think that's correct. I received a photo of State Troopers already putting up the new toll gate on Belle Isle.

[RO_Resident]

I'm curious if the State has shut down other state parks to the public for something like this. Is this another case of the state doing something different to/for Detroit.

I don't like the idea that they can just shut down a park and tell residents tough shit. As it is residents in the area are now paying for state parks, Wayne County parks, city parks and HCMA parks but the one closest to them will be shut down.

The state has shut down access to Pontiac Lake for Quake on the Lake at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area for several years.

[Király]

From a couple of posts above:

Wow, $8.55 for an out of state vehicle day pass. That seems like a lot.

[Gannon]

It sure is.

[Dan Wesson]

Wow, $8.55 for an out of state vehicle day pass. That seems like a lot.

Wait till these show up!





My sense of things run along these lines...

[wolverine]

How do visitors in out-of-state vehicles pay? Or do they get a free pass?

Buy a pass. I live in Illinois but pay an annual fee for Wisconsin Parks. It's a sticker that goes on the windshield.

Prices are higher for out of state residents but hang around the $30 range for annual use

[BillyBBrew]

Milliken State Park is free.

In a sense it really isn't free. There's no cost because everyone is a pedestrian or on a bicycle. The fee only applies to vehicles. Same applies to ANY state park in the system.

[old guy]

Buy a pass. I live in Illinois but pay an annual fee for Wisconsin Parks. It's a sticker that goes on the windshield.

Prices are higher for out of state residents but hang around the $30 range for annual use

I live in Wisconsin. The annual fee for in state residents is $25 a year. You can purchase an additional sticker for $12.50 for vehicles registered to the same household. It's very easy to get around if you care to. I don't mind paying that fee because I utilize a large number of the parks each year.

Honestly, for me it seems like a great deal. The parks are in most cases beautiful, and I know that Michigan has parks that are of the same quality. The parks are well maintained. It does cost a considerable amount of money to maintain a great park system. I understand some of the questions as to the changes of a beautiful city park being subjected to what's happening at Belle Isle. Hope it works out well.

[Gannon]

Just got home from my morning lap...and am disappointed.

The Strand, just west of the Coastguard Station, was just trashed.

If anyone saw this when the city was in charge, they'd go on and on about how bad the management of the island is.


But there were at least three officers of the law, including yet another trooper-blue who had to catch up to me and let me bore him by stepping down the cruise to 18mph.


So, the trash management, after the first relatively nice weekend, is as bad...or as good...as the city...but the hassle-factor is much higher.

Still not seeing how this state takeover is doing good. It surely ISN'T business-as-usual, which is the mantra I continually heard from anyone with a uniform just after the lease was signed.


I believe we're going to need a citizen video brigade to document the first hot Friday and Saturday nights. The bozos will most certainly be challenging the authorities. I don't expect it to be pretty.

[Gistok]

Just got home from my morning lap...and am disappointed.

The Strand, just west of the Coastguard Station, was just trashed.

If anyone saw this when the city was in charge, they'd go on and on about how bad the management of the island is.


But there were at least three officers of the law, including yet another trooper-blue who had to catch up to me and let me bore him by stepping down the cruise to 18mph.


So, the trash management, after the first relatively nice weekend, is as bad...or as good...as the city...but the hassle-factor is much higher.

Still not seeing how this state takeover is doing good. It surely ISN'T business-as-usual, which is the mantra I continually heard from anyone with a uniform just after the lease was signed.


I believe we're going to need a citizen video brigade to document the first hot Friday and Saturday nights. The bozos will most certainly be challenging the authorities. I don't expect it to be pretty.

OK... so you're complaining that the hassle factor is higher with the state takeover.... AND... you're complaining that the state isn't hassling litter bugs enough on the Strand.... is that right?

[Gannon]

OK... so you're complaining that the hassle factor is higher with the state takeover.... AND... you're complaining that the state isn't hassling litter bugs enough on the Strand.... is that right?

Not really.

My complaint is that the troopers swoop down for no reason, and often tail folks...apparently dredging for some reason to pull them over. This has happened 75% of my visits to the island...and each time I attempt to bore them to death by dropping speed 1 mph for every mile they tag me.

Having a trooper follow you around is no good for park relations. That is definitely NOT business-as-usual for ANY state park I've ever visited.

There were two rangers chatting it up by the casino...but it was near 9 o'clock, perhaps they were on their first coffee break.

I simply wasn't expecting the Strand to be as trashed as it was...broken glass, empties, food bags...with the 'new' arrangement. The city always was quick to clean this area up...we'll see if the state is as good.

When they DO get to patrolling the Strand on Friday and Saturday nights, it should get interesting. Of course those who litter should be punished...

[Király]

Buy a pass. I live in Illinois but pay an annual fee for Wisconsin Parks. It's a sticker that goes on the windshield.

Prices are higher for out of state residents but hang around the $30 range for annual use

That's not so good for people who rent a car in Windsor and drive over to Belle Isle, as I did in 2011. I would have paid the $8.55 day pass fee but not a $30 annual fee for a single visit.