City of Detroit provides information on street closures, parking and transportation for June 24 Ford Fireworks

2024

 

  • Viewing Areas, Closed Parks and Curfew Information Also Announced

 

Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the shores of the Detroit River to enjoy the Ford Fireworks June 24.  To make it an enjoyable experience, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan will enforce access restrictions to Hart Plaza and Belle Isle.  In addition, a number of riverside parks will be closed June 24. 

VIEWING AREAS 

The following locations have been identified as the best viewing sites: 

  • Hart Plaza
  • Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted)
  • Spirit Plaza

These locations will be CLOSED:   

  • RiverWalk in its entirety including Milliken State Park/Harbor
  • AB Ford Park, 100 Lenox
  • Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson
  • 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
     

Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza 

Both Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza are weapon-free zones, with only law enforcement allowed to have weapons.  Both plazas are open to the general public. 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. No re-admittance into Hart Plaza or Spirit Plaza. 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

Belle Isle will be closed on Monday, June 24 until 2 p.m. At that time, the island will open to vehicular traffic until capacity is reached. The Island will open at 5 a.m. to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter the island. 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 island capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park.  To get updates on when the island is full, text GEM to 80888. 

Belle Isle Park officials issued these reminders:

  • Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island.
  • No tents and canopies 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 Casino.
  • Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

MUNICIPAL PARKING

The Municipal Parking Department will not enforce parking meters after 5 p.m. on June 24. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Parking 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 zones or no standing zones

Parking Facilities
MPD will offer parking at these City-owned garages.

Ford Underground Garage         6 a.m. - 1 a.m.      $10                                 
30 E. Jefferson

Eastern Market Garage              6 a.m. - 11 p.m.     $5                                      
2727 Riopelle Street

Fireworks viewing from any parking facility and tailgating are prohibited. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or go online to detroitmi.gov/parking.

TOWING
Vehicles will be retrieved by the company that towed the vehicle. Individuals should talk with a DPD 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 volume of vehicle traffic.   
 

CURFEW ENFORCEMENT 
The City of Detroit will enforce its existing curfew for minors, ages 17 and under, that will be in effect from 8 p.m. on June 24 until 6 a.m. on 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 are welcome to 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. Minors will be 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 find lost children in 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, 628-2100 


DETROIT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 
For bus riders, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued these reminders: 

The following bus routes will be impacted by the Fireworks.  They include: 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 for the fireworks, from 7a.m. until midnight. Patrons may exit at Financial District Station for viewing at Spirit or Hart Plaza.  Due to early closures at Huntington Place and 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 thepeoplemover.com or call (313) 224-2160.