When the City of Detroit signed off on the financial stability agreement, one of the perks that Mayor Dave Bing and others agreed to was having the state create funding for Belle Isle and take over maintenance of the popular city park.

But they say they don't agree with state control of the recreation destination for 99 years. About 200 people attended a rally Wednesday organized by Councilman Kwame Kenyatta aimed at pressuring Bing to drop any plan under which the Department of Natural Resources would operate the 985-acre park similarly to how Michigan manages other state parks -- with a $10 annual entry fee for motorists.

It is unclear whether the state can impose such an arrangement under the financial stability agreement, which was approved April 4, or whether Bing can force a lease without the council's approval.

SOURCE: Freep