The Ford Fireworks are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the shores of the Detroit River tonight but not all public parks will be open for viewing.
The city of Detroit has tips and reminders on transit options, road closures, parking and viewing sites as well as the curfew in effect for minors.
Here’s a rundown of what to know:
Top viewing sites
- Hart Plaza
- Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted)
- Spirit Plaza
Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza are weapon-free zones. Both are open to the public, but pedestrian set-ups and/or gatherings will not be permitted before 2 p.m. on June 24.
The plazas will be open until capacity is reached and for those who leave the area, there will be re-admittance. Those entering either plaza will be subject to security screening. Coolers and backpacks also will be searched.
- No tents, alcohol, drones, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.) will be allowed.
- Flames or fires are prohibited, and cooking is prohibited.
- Fireworks are not allowed.
- Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group is prohibited.
Belle Isle will be closed June 24 until 2 p.m. when the island will open to vehicular traffic. The island will open at 5 a.m. to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter Belle Isle. The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $14. The passport is $11 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day. Once the island’s capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park. For updates, text GEM to 80888.
- Alcohol consumption on the island is prohibited.
- No tents and canopies are allowed.
- From 2-4 p.m., all vehicles will be directed to the paddock area (except those with valid ADA placards)
- RV parking will be on the paddock area near the Belle Isle Casino.
- Consumer fireworks are prohibited.
Sites off-limits for viewing
- RiverWalk in its entirety including Milliken State Park/Harbor
- AB Ford Park, 100 Lenox
- Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson Ave.
- Mariner Park, 14700 Riverside Blvd.
- Lakewood East, 14578 Riverfront Blvd.
- Erma Henderson Park, 8800 E. Jefferson Ave.
- Owens Park, 8430 E. Jefferson Ave.
- Stockton Park, 9250 Dwight
- Maheras-Gentry Park, 12550 Avondale
- Elliott Park, 110 Mt. Elliott
- Riverside Park, 3085 W. Jefferson Ave.
Parking rules
The Municipal Parking Department will not enforce parking meters after 5 p.m. June 24. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Violators will be ticketed and, in some instances, vehicles may be towed.
Motorists will be ticketed for:
- Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet from crosswalk; within 15 feet from an intersection; within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant)
- Parking in front of fire hydrants and bus stops or blocking driveways and alleys.
- Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lanes, no parking or no standing zones.
Parking sites
MPD will offer parking at these city-owned garages:
- Ford Underground Garage, 30 E. Jefferson Ave., 6 a.m. – 1 a.m. ($10)
- Eastern Market Garage, 2727 Riopelle Street, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. ($5)
Fireworks viewing and tailgating from any parking facility are prohibited. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or go online to detroitmi.gov/parking.
If towed, vehicles will be retrieved by the tow company. Individuals should talk with a Detroit police officer to determine the location of their vehicle.
Street and freeway closures
The following traffic changes will go into effect at approximately 6 p.m. on June 24:
- No northbound or southbound traffic will be allowed on Woodward Avenue beginning at Park and Witherell. Motorists may cross Woodward at John R/Clifford, Grand River, and State/Gratiot.
- All streets south of Fort and west of Woodward will be closed.
- All streets south of Congress and east of Woodward will be closed.
- Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways will begin to close.
The Detroit Police Department reserves the right to request closure of the freeways and surfaces streets earlier or later, depending on the traffic volume.
Curfew enforcement
The city will enforce its existing curfew for minors, ages 17 and under, from 8 p.m. June 24 until 6 a.m. June 25 for the area bounded by the Detroit River, Rosa Parks Blvd., Lodge Freeway, Fisher Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to include Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and Chene Park.
Minors can view the fireworks from any approved public area. However, for their safety, minors must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult (age 21 or over), if they choose to view from within the curfew boundaries. Minors will be allowed to travel to and from work, school, church or organized activities.
Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to the Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval and held there until picked up by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian also shall receive a parental responsibility violation ticket.
Lost children
Parents can retrieve lost children at these locations:
- Huntington Place, off Atwater Dr. in the atrium
- Detroit Police Department 3rd Precinct, 2875 W. Grand Blvd. (313) 596-5300
- Detroit Police Department 4th Precinct, 4700 W. Fort Street (313) 596-5400
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, (313) 628-2100
Detroit bus riders
For bus riders, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued these reminders:
The following bus routes will be impacted by the fireworks:
Grand River (#3), Woodward (#4), Van Dyke/Lafayette (#5), Gratiot (#6), Conant southbound only (#12), Jefferson (#9), Dexter (#16), Russell (#40), Chene (#52), and Cadillac/Harper (#67). All DDOT routes will go to Rosa Parks Transit Center.
For more information regarding DDOT service, call (313) 933-1300.
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover will be open from 7 a.m. until midnight for the fireworks.
Patrons may exit at Financial District Station for viewing at Spirit or Hart Plaza. Due to early closures at Huntington Place and the Detroit Renaissance Center, trains will not stop at these stations after 2 p.m.
People Mover rides are free. Transfers from the Rosa Parks Transit Center may board at Times Square Station.
For more information, go online to www.thepeoplemover.com or call (313) 224-2160.