The city rejected the offer saying that the park should remain free to the public and of course the "public" was the residents of the city. Nobody from the suburbs steps foot on Belle Isle unless they're members of a reunion going on there......
People should see the ancient photos of Belle Isle during the 1940's and 50's, what a magnificient place it was.
As a side note, my grandfather was a sergeant with the DPOA and stationed on Belle Isle till he retired in 1962......
I have lots of fond memories of spending summer days on the island with my grandmother and grandfather..........
In 1969-72, my house was less than a mile south of Stoney Creek Park. I sailed on the lake often. My subdivision had a Rochester address at the time; it is now in Shelby Twp., IIRC.