By VICKIE ELMER

The man who's managing Belle Isle Park is described as a "boots on the ground type of person," and last week he started walking around the island's 982 acres and exploring the needs of its aging or boarded up structures.

Joe Hall, a 19-year employee of the state Department of Natural Resources, was chosen to be park superintendent over 13 other candidates, said Scott Pratt, who will be his boss. Pratt, field operations chief for southern Michigan, was one of five people on the panel who reviewed the top 14 candidates.

"He's a smart cookie. He knows his construction," Pratt said in a short interview after the state held a parks contracting presentation Friday at the Belle Isle Casino.

Hall was at the session, but spent much of his time in the background, smiling and talking quietly one-on-one to business people and state employees. On Monday, he was in meetings and did not return email or phone calls.

Hall previously served as superintendent of Clear Lake State Park in Atlanta, in northern Michigan, where he brought together resources and groups to create a disc golf course, which opened last summer, and oversaw the electrical upgrade of its campground.

Hall also worked previously in the Metropolitan Detroit District of the Department of Natural Resources and knows how to get things done through the state systems, Pratt said.

Officials indicated that for the first year, Hall will focus mainly on building, grounds and other infrastructure improvements. That includes new lighting and clearing brush and debris from trails, plus repairing plumbing in all buildings. 

His move to Belle Isle, first reported by Crain's Detroit Business, came just eight days after the state took over management of the island park from the city of Detroit, making Belle Isle the state's 102nd park, a move that will save the city up to $6 million annually. Michigan State Police cars started patrolling the island on February 10, and seven full-time employees plus a seasonal team will work at Belle Isle.

The other 13 candidates for Belle Isle Park superintendent came from within the State Parks as well as a few from county parks management and from city of Detroit jobs, Pratt said.

For now, Hall is stationed out of William G. Milliken State Park & Harbor, the first urban state park, just across the river from Belle Isle.  The state has not yet installed telephones or internet access on the island, but eventually Hall and his team will operate from the island.

For this year, no camping permits will be allowed on Belle Isle, though state officials are discussing opportunities for overnight stays when events such as the Grand Prix and others occur. The state DNR plans to survey visitors to Belle Isle to find out what their priorities and interests are.

Hall and the DNR team plan to work collaboratively with the Belle Isle Conservancy and other local groups on conservation, clean-up and events.  "We're all working together as a happy family," Pratt said.

The state is posting press releases and other updates on Belle Isle at  www.BelleIslePark.org