Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’

['Dustin Blitchok', 'More Dustin Blitchok', 'Managing Editor', 'Planet Detroit', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img'] Planet Detroit 2025-09-20 17:39:55

- If the state fails to pass a budget by the Oct. 1 deadline, state parks like Belle Isle could close or have limited access. As Michigan careens toward an Oct. 1 budget deadline, Belle Isle is caught in the middle of the state’s political gridlock. Belle Isle is funded out of the division’s general fund, Kosick told the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee, and the cuts would impact the island. “The reason that’s important is because Belle Isle falls under the general funding category.”Committee member Michael Curis asked whether an operating statement exists for Belle Isle. Carolyn Harrington, who lives on Detroit’s east side, said she comes to Belle Isle at least once a week.