Bing considers Belle Isle Entry Fee

[vetalalumni]

...
He also said he's open to fresh ideas for closing the city's budget gap, including an admission fee for Belle Isle. "You'll constantly hear folks say Belle Isle is a gem," Bing said, "and it was, and maybe it can be again, but I don't think it is today."

The city clearly can't afford to maintain Belle Isle as a top-notch park, but Bing's not charging a fee yet.
...

By Tom Walsh
Free Press Columnist
[Bing to Detroit: 'Change ... or get left behind'] 9/23/09-->
http://www.freep.com/article/2009092...t-left-behind-

Almost shed a tear while reading this article this morning. Belle Isle has always been a Detroit treasure to me. Not perfect, but that has been part of the appeal.

Rather than questioning Belle Isle [["...maybe it can be again..."), I'd rather hear voices defending it. However, dire circumstances apparently compel.

Are they talking an annual pass, for say $5? Or, pay each visit?

[Todd_Scott]

I personally think it's a great idea for motor vehicles. Parks generally don't charge admission for peds and bikes. Charging fees for public use can make it more difficult to get certain grants, but I imagine that would be especially true if peds and bikes were charged.

Someone mentioned this might make Belle Isle sustainable -- perhaps, but likely not. Parks rarely survive just on user fees unless you're pulling in big bucks from camping or other fee-based facilities.

[stinkbug]

Almost shed a tear while reading this article this morning. Belle Isle has always been a Detroit treasure to me. Not perfect, but that has been part of the appeal.

Rather than questioning Belle Isle [["...maybe it can be again..."), I'd rather hear voices defending it. However, dire circumstances apparently compel.

Are they talking an annual pass, for say $5? Or, pay each visit?

Bing is so fucking clueless you just want to shake him and shout, "WAKE UP!" He absolutely no understand of the people or the City on a human level. Maybe it can be again? Jesus Christ man, Detroiters need the bus and like Belle Isle. Fucking capice? What an asshole.

While I support some variation of charging to get on the Isle, this isn't going to go over well. The grassroots groups are going to pitch a fit. Bing's idea of grassroots is the DAC though, I think.

Charge only for vehicles on weekends. It becomes a congested, unsafe, unpleasant, polluted clusterfuck of tricked out cars. They can cruise someplace else.
Pedestrians and cyclists free. Reduced admission for residents with vehicles[[then you have to show a valid driver's license...). Run the fucking bus on it again. Does Bing know that a bus used to go to Belle Isle?