LoginHow will Belle Isle be affected if state budget falters?
An October 1 deadline looms for Michigan lawmakers to pass the state budget.
Belle Isle Conservancy officials say proposed cuts and the risk of a government shutdown could stall years of progress at Detroit’s most popular public park.
Meagan Elliott, President and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy, said the proposed state House budget would significantly impact parks across Michigan, especially Belle Isle.
“It would mean significant reduction both in full time employees for Parks and Recreation, which would obviously impact Belle Isle,” Eliott said. “There are [also] general fund cuts in the proposed budget, and Belle Isle is the only state park that receives general fund sources, both for operations and for their capital outlay program. So, both of those are potentially on the chopping block right now.”
Belle Isle draws about 5.5 million visitors annually, making it the second most-visited state park in the U.S., just behind Niagara Falls.
Construction projects tied to state ARPA funding would also be paused during a shutdown. Elliott says even temporary delays could be costly.
“That would be at a tremendous cost for everyday residents who just want to see those improvements…come to fruition,” she said. “So even pausing construction projects…there’s a demobilization cost…subcontractors might decide to move on to the next project while all this gets sorted out, and then maybe not come back.”
Elliott also stressed the importance of keeping the park accessible, especially in the fall, when many Detroiters visit to enjoy the changing season.
“This is everyone’s backyard. It belongs to Detroiters,” Eliott said.
This story is part of WDET’s ongoing series, The Detroit Tree Canopy Project.
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