I think a lot of this is another case of non-Detroiters trying to "save" something that Detroiters actually use [[a lot, in the case of Belle Isle). I am reminded of someone I met in Brimingham at a party years ago who was surprised to hear me say that I rode my bike on Belle Isle most weekends. He said "Belle Isle? But no one goes there anymore". To which I responded "You mean no one YOU know goes there anymore".

Belle Isle has always been heavily used during the summer, especially on weekends, and will remain so whether or not there's a Grand Prix there. For the people who go there regularly, to use it for its intended purpose as a park, the GP is mostly nothing but a nearly 3 month long pain in the ass.