City of Detroit announces street closures, parking and transportation options for the Ford Fireworks on June 22

2026
  • Viewing areas, closed parks and curfew information also announced

 

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to enjoy the Ford Fireworks on Monday, June 22. To ensure a smooth and safe experience, the City of Detroit and State of Michigan will enforce access restrictions at designated viewing areas and on Belle Isle. In addition, several parks will be closed June 22. The City is encouraging visitors to plan ahead and use one of the designated public viewing areas listed below.

Designated Viewing Areas
The following locations have been identified as public viewing sites:

  • Hart Plaza
  • Spirit Plaza
  • Erma Henderson Park (new this year)
  • Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge is not permitted)

Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza and Erma Henderson Park
All three locations will open to the public at 2 p.m. on June 22 and will remain open until capacity is reached. Erma Henderson Park has a capacity of 1,500 people. Admission to all three sites is free.

Important details: All three locations are weapon-free zones; only law enforcement is permitted to carry weapons. Everyone entering will be subject to security screening, and coolers and backpacks will be searched. There is no automatic re-admittance once a visitor leaves any of these sites.

The following are not permitted at these locations:

  • Tents, alcohol, drones, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.)
  • Flames, fires or cooking of any kind
  • Personal or consumer fireworks  
  • Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group

Belle Isle
Belle Isle will be closed on Monday, June 22 until 2 p.m., when the island will open for vehicular and pedestrian access.  Park officials will allow up to 3,000 vehicles until the traffic capacity is reached. Pedestrians and bicyclists will continue to have access after the vehicle capacity is reached.  To receive updates on when the island is full, text GEM to 80888.

Motorists will need the Recreation Passport affixed to their vehicle to enter the island. The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $15. The passport is $12 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day. Entry is free for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Belle Isle Park officials issued these reminders:

  • Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island
  • No tents and canopies are allowed on Sunset Point
  • From 2 - 4 p.m., all vehicles will be directed to the paddock area except those with valid ADA placards
  • RV parking will be located on the paddock area near the Casino
  • Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

Park Closures
To support public safety operations, the following parks will be closed in their entirety on June 22:

  • Riverwalk, closed in its entirety
  • AB Ford Park, 100 Lenox
  • Cullen Plaza, 1340 Atwater
  • Dennis Archer Greenway
  • Dequindre Cut, between Eastern Market and Atwater Street
  • Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson Ave.
  • Lakewood East, 14578 Riverfront Blvd.
  • Maheras-Gentry Park, 12550 Avondale
  • Mariner Park, 14700 Riverside Blvd.
  • Milliken State Park/Harbor
  • Mt. Elliott Park, 110 Mt. Elliott  
  • Owens Park, 8430 E. Jefferson Ave.
  • Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park, 1801 W. Jefferson Ave.
  • Riverside Park, 3085 W. Jefferson Ave.
  • Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater
  • Southwest Greenway
  • Stockton Park, 9250 Dwight

Municipal Parking
Parking Meters

The Municipal Parking Department (MPD) will not enforce parking meters across the city after 5 p.m. on June 22. 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
Parking is available at these City-owned garages:

  • Ford Underground Garage, 30 E. Jefferson
    Opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m.; cost is $10
  • Eastern Market Garage,  2727 Riopelle Street
    Opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.; cost is $5

Tailgating and fireworks viewing from any parking facility are prohibited. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or visit detroitmi.gov/parking.

Towing
Vehicles in violation of parking rules and restrictions may be towed. Vehicles will be retrieved by DPD tow trucks only. Individuals should call the Tow Desk at (313) 596-8832 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 22:

  • 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 may begin to close.

The DPD 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 curfew for minors, ages 17 and under, that will be in effect from 8 p.m. on June 22 until 6 a.m. on June 23 for the area bounded by the Detroit River, Third Street, Lodge Freeway, Fisher Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to include Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and The Aretha Franklin Ampitheater.

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.  

Juvenile Detention Location
Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr., (313) 628-0995. Minors will be held there until picked up by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian also will receive a parental responsibility violation ticket, which carry a fine of $250 for a first-time offense and $500 for a repeat offense.

Lost Children
Parents can find lost children in these locations:

  • Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., 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
  • Coleman A. Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr (313) 628-0995

Transportation
Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT)

For bus riders, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued the following reminder.
From 5 - 11 p.m. on June 22, the following routes will end at the Bricktown People Mover Station on Beaubien between Lafayette and Congress.

  • #5 Van Dyke/Lafayette
  • #6 Gratiot
  • #9 Jefferson
  • #40 Russell
  • #52 Chene
  • #67 Cadillac/Harper

DDOT personnel will assist passengers at the Bricktown and Times Square stations to assist passengers beginning at 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., the Woodward (#4) and Dexter (#16) routes will end at the Rosa Parks Transit Center.

For full reroute information, visit detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-department-transportation/route-updates or call (313) 933-1300.

Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover will operate 6:30 a.m. until midnight. Patrons may exit at Financial District Station for viewing at Spirit or Hart Plaza.  Due to early closures at Huntington Place, Millender Center and Renaissance Center, trains will not stop at these stations after 2 p.m.; all other stations remain open. Rides are always free. DDOT transfers from the Rosa Parks Transit Center should board at Times Square Station or the Bricktown Station for east-side layovers. For more information, visit thepeoplemover.com or call (313) 224-2160.

Q-Line
In addition, the Q-Line will have a shortened route on June 22.  Beginning at 6 p.m., trains will stop at Woodward Avenue and State Street.