Welcome to the forum DetroitCityCellars and to firing line. I find the idea of a vineyard on Belle Isle intriguing and am favorably inclined toward it.

I think it would provide an educational and scenic addition to the island. As a wine aficionado [and a founding member of www.gangofpour.com a local wine tasting circle] I am a part time follower of wine and viticulture and had three varieties of vines at my former Highland Park home. The cycle of naked pruned vines in winter to full-fruited and leafed vines at harvest time in September is a sight to behold.

The main problem, as you can gather here, is that Belle Isle aficionados [I'm one too] are fiercely defensive anything that might be perceived as commercial or for profit while taking away parkland. This ranges from a once grand proposal to take over parts of the island for casinos and associated hotels down to ice cream vendors. Be prepared to endure a lot heat from that direction as you already are. Detroit aficionados likewise leery of anyone perceived as an outsider coming in a with grand ideas.

Let's consider the difference between the allowance of the Grand Prix and
DetroitCityCellars' vineyard. The former paved over several acres creating a featureless concrete eyesore that gets used a couple of times a year. A vineyard will blend with the earth and even be restorative. It will add scenic and enlightening interest for pedestrians and bikers.

DetroitCityCellars, to massage your situation, consider the following. I once spent a month in the Weinstrasse area ['Wine Road' that parallels the Rhine in Alsace]. While making the painting below of the Village of Katzenthal, I met the mayor who by chance was out jogging. One of the most interesting things I learned was that shared ownership of the vinyards was very common. Just about every household in the village owned some of the vines, sometimes only 3 or 4.

If you could offer similar involvement scenarios some interesting win-win situations could arise. Let's say, MLK High School had a few vines that an interested student group could care for, learn viticulture while getting involved in Belle Isle. Maybe others could become Belle Isle benefactor sponsor-investors by being enticed into sponsoring a vine with any profit share going to the Belle Isle Conservancy. I'd sponsor a vine for that. Just thinking aloud...