Now That It's A State Park, What Changes Are Ahead For Belle Isle?

DETROIT (WWJ) - Things are going to be a lot different now that Belle Isle is officially a state park. WWJ City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas is taking a week-long look at the changes as we head toward spring and much warmer weather.

Michael Terrell, manager of the Metro Detroit District of the Michigan DNR, has been on Belle Isle since around Labor Day. What's his biggest challenge?

"Weather," Terrell said. "We assumed responsibility February 10, but it's been really cold, so you really can't do much outside."

Some of what he's seen inside, meanwhile, has not been pretty.

"We already assessed the buildings and ... bathrooms."

How bad are they?

"Well, they're bad. If you want honesty, I'll say that I've not seen ... some of the buildings, there's toilets missing, there's porcelain broken," Terrell told Thomas.

But, according to Ron Olson, chief of Parks and Recreation for the state DNR, says "By spring, we will have all the key restrooms back open."

Be sure to tune in to WWJ Newsroom 950 for Vickie Thomas' special reports that will be running throughout the week.