FYI.... Belle Isle Fireworks Rules this year

[Dan Wesson]

Belle Isle will open to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. June 23 for Detroit's Ford Fireworks display

June 10, 2014
The Department of Natural Resources today announced that, consistent with city of Detroit past practice, Belle Isle Park will open to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 23, for the annual Detroit Ford Fireworks display [[set to begin at 10:06 p.m.).
The island will open at 5 a.m. for all pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
"The DNR has adopted many of the city of Detroit's rules and policies for Belle Isle while they are evaluated and assessed," said Scott Pratt, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief of southern field operations. "This allows for state park and law enforcement staff to better understand the use of the island and the appropriate way to ensure a safe, enjoyable park environment for everyone."
DNR staff and volunteers will direct traffic to designated parking areas, located throughout the island.
"Parking is allowed only in these designated areas," said 1st Lt. David Malloch, with the DNR's Law Enforcement Division. "It's important for the public's safety to keep roadways open so all vehicles, especially emergency vehicles, can quickly navigate the island."
Parking in the designated locations is free of charge. The Recreation Passport requirement still applies. Once island capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park. Parking is not permitted on the MacArthur Bridge.
So every visitor is given an opportunity to enjoy Detroit's popular fireworks display, the public is reminded that:

• Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island except by use permit, which can be obtained from the park supervisor with a shelter or event rental.
• Tents and canopies should be 9 feet by 9 feet or smaller with no more than two tents or canopies per group.
• Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island, a standard rule for all Michigan state parks.

Belle Isle will remain open until the fireworks display is completed, at which time the park will immediately close. Standard park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

[corktownyuppie]

Belle Isle will open to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. June 23 for Detroit's Ford Fireworks display



June 10, 2014
The Department of Natural Resources today announced that, consistent with city of Detroit past practice, Belle Isle Park will open to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 23, for the annual Detroit Ford Fireworks display [[set to begin at 10:06 p.m.).
The island will open at 5 a.m. for all pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
"The DNR has adopted many of the city of Detroit's rules and policies for Belle Isle while they are evaluated and assessed," said Scott Pratt, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief of southern field operations. "This allows for state park and law enforcement staff to better understand the use of the island and the appropriate way to ensure a safe, enjoyable park environment for everyone."
DNR staff and volunteers will direct traffic to designated parking areas, located throughout the island.
"Parking is allowed only in these designated areas," said 1st Lt. David Malloch, with the DNR's Law Enforcement Division. "It's important for the public's safety to keep roadways open so all vehicles, especially emergency vehicles, can quickly navigate the island."
Parking in the designated locations is free of charge. The Recreation Passport requirement still applies. Once island capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park. Parking is not permitted on the MacArthur Bridge.
So every visitor is given an opportunity to enjoy Detroit's popular fireworks display, the public is reminded that:

• Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island except by use permit, which can be obtained from the park supervisor with a shelter or event rental.
• Tents and canopies should be 9 feet by 9 feet or smaller with no more than two tents or canopies per group.
• Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island, a standard rule for all Michigan state parks.

Belle Isle will remain open until the fireworks display is completed, at which time the park will immediately close. Standard park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

I showed up at River Days 60 minutes before close today. DPD had locked it down and wasn't letting anyone in. I asked one of the officers why, and she said that the event was over-capacity and that kids were running around unsupervised, starting fights, and the situation was getting dangerous with all of the people.

Jefferson was bumper to bumper, and cops were everywhere.

We headed to Campus Martius, and a group of 20+ teenagers were walking through Cadillac Square, with 2 of them knocking over chairs and tables as they passed by. Private security at Campus Martius escorted them off property.

I'm fine with a 6 pm curfew for unsupervisored minors.

[Dan Wesson]

Free press article today...

http://www.freep.com/article/2014062...oit-Belle-Isle

[Gannon]

Silly asses.

I don't see the purpose in closing the island off to vehicular traffic before 2 p.m.

That is one of the most fucked-up rules yet devised after this state coup of the island.


They still needed extra employees on hand to turn everyone back who has a regular visit to Belle Isle on their morning repertoire.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

They ought'o know that the troublemakers don't wake up this early in the damn day.

[clark1mt]

Silly asses.

I don't see the purpose in closing the island off to vehicular traffic before 2 p.m.

That is one of the most fucked-up rules yet devised after this state coup of the island.


They still needed extra employees on hand to turn everyone back who has a regular visit to Belle Isle on their morning repertoire.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

They ought'o know that the troublemakers don't wake up this early in the damn day.

It's not a new rule. Here's an article from last year:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/commun...works/20696820

[Honky Tonk]

Silly asses.

I don't see the purpose in closing the island off to vehicular traffic before 2 p.m.

That is one of the most fucked-up rules yet devised after this state coup of the island.


They still needed extra employees on hand to turn everyone back who has a regular visit to Belle Isle on their morning repertoire.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

They ought'o know that the troublemakers don't wake up this early in the damn day.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/commun...works/20696820

Don't let your blind hatred interfere with the facts or your ability to post.

[jackie5275]

The Fireworks, like Opening Day, are a couple of things I used to enjoy. I am too through with the nonsense that goes on at these events.

[Honky Tonk]

The Fireworks, like Opening Day, are a couple of things I used to enjoy. I am too through with the nonsense that goes on at these events.

My folks took us as kids to the first one ever. It was SO much fun. Things have sure changed.

[Scottathew]

I usually go to the Clawson fireworks every year. I got hit by a car a few years ago. People do get crazy around these things.

[corktownyuppie]

I usually go to the Clawson fireworks every year. I got hit by a car a few years ago. People do get crazy around these things.

I'm as big a booster about downtown as anyone. But I think there needs to be a major overhaul about how this event takes place or it shouldn't happen at all. Combine hot weather with people who don't trust each other, scarce areas for viewing with large numbers of people? This is a recipe for chaos.

Fireworks night is the one day per year where I actually am concerned for my safety downtown, and that's unfortunate, because it's also one of the most common days for people coming from the suburbs...no wonder so many people are afraid of downtown. If my only impression of the city is from the day of the fireworks, then I'd be pretty afraid too.

If this event continues in its current form of being available to the public for free, I think you should have to pre-register for the event, and there should be a secured perimeter in the downtown viewing area. Kids of all ages are still welcome, but they must be supervised by an adult.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

I won't be going. Who wants to be bothered with all the gridlock that goes along with it and getting back home at 2 in the morning? I'll watch from my 55 inch Samsung. I know it's special for the kids, I use to take mine but they are grown now.

[motz]

I won't be going. I've been almost-trampled twice, and even the alternate viewing areas don't sound enjoyable. Maybe I am getting old, maybe I am getting lazy, but it's just not worth it for me. I will probably go to a few other local fireworks displays though.

[jackie5275]

My folks took us as kids to the first one ever. It was SO much fun. Things have sure changed.

I first went as a kid too. We lived in Pontiac. Amtrak used to stop there, Birmingham, Royal Oak, the Milwaukee St station, & downtown before going west out to Dearborn & beyond. One year they had a Firecracker Special. You could board the train at any of these stops and it took you to an area a little bit east of the RenCen where you could watch the show. Once done, you had 30 mins to get back on the train to go back where you boarded. You were allowed as much alcohol on the train as you wanted to bring. However, you had to keep it on the train during the show. My dad took us a couple of times on that train ride. It was so much fun. Although, we began in Pontiac, so we were the first on & the last off. But as kids, we didn't care. We enjoyed the whole experience of a train ride & fireworks downtown.

[Honky Tonk]

I first went as a kid too. We lived in Pontiac. Amtrak used to stop there, Birmingham, Royal Oak, the Milwaukee St station, & downtown before going west out to Dearborn & beyond. One year they had a Firecracker Special. You could board the train at any of these stops and it took you to an area a little bit east of the RenCen where you could watch the show. Once done, you had 30 mins to get back on the train to go back where you boarded. You were allowed as much alcohol on the train as you wanted to bring. However, you had to keep it on the train during the show. My dad took us a couple of times on that train ride. It was so much fun. Although, we began in Pontiac, so we were the first on & the last off. But as kids, we didn't care. We enjoyed the whole experience of a train ride & fireworks downtown.

Wow, That had to be a hoot for young kids. Good memories.

[sumas]

I actually dislike being in any crowd. Past experiences taking our kids to Hart Plaza, watched a drunk driver zoom through a light to get to the tunnel and fortunately pedestrians scattered and no one was hurt, police viewed this and did nothing. For a few years we had a friend with offices in the veterans Memorial building which was pleasant but parking costs were insane. Last try we rented seats at the hotel, used to be the Millender center, parked because a friend lived in the apartments there. Decided to walk to the sweetwater restaurant after the works and drunken idiots were tossing glass beer bottles out the hotel windows at pedestrians. My son who was 13 at the time was upset at the behavior and approached a group of officers [[8) on the corner, at first they ignored him and then took at look at the melee which was clearly visible and hear able to them and turned their backs and went to chatting again. He was very disgusted and for years later all he did was call police donuts. Close enough to "do nothings".

[sumas]

There is a huge distinction between no police response and way too draconian enforcement. I wouldn't consider trying Belle Isle this year.

Went to the local party store to get some orange juice and chips for my husband. Tensions are high, the kiosk that sells chicken and pizza had a long line and most clients were already tanked. Witnessed verbal brawls on the corner of Kercheval and the Blvd. All of these folks were headed for the island. The weather is muggy and tension high. I find it a bad recipe if policing is bullying or too strict.

[Honky Tonk]

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/blog/2...ks-in-detroit/

[sumas]

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/blog/2...ks-in-detroit/

Thank you for the link. Honestly I am scared, very scared about confrontations between citizens and police. I so hope I am wrong! I live near Belle Isle and tension is tangible. I don't want to see a long hot summer erupting.

[sumas]

Corktownyuppie is right. Things should be organized differently. How it should happen is up to more clever people than myself. Police presence is not the end all and be all. Limiting alcohol is silly too. To get to Hart Plaza, people come early, stake a spot and head to the bars for several hours.

Maybe staggered smaller fire works up and down the riverfront might work, Lakewood East, AB Ford and Maharis gentry come to mind, sorry people I am an East sider and there are many west area parks too.

[Danny]

I remember back when there was a fighting incident involving two black females outside Hart Plaza. And not too long ago there was a shooting incident outside Hart Plaza. Let's hope the next Ford Fireworks will be a safe one.

[Gannon]

Ha, I don't hate anything or anyone, but am learning to despise some folks' lack of reading comprehension. I never said it was a new rule, just that I bumped into it at an inconvenient time...MY time that I usually have alone on the island first thing in the morning. If the city kept the park closed to morning vehicle traffic, it was just as stupid a rule then as it remains now.


We ended up getting tickets for my honey's building party...with a roof deck and the fixin's...but their parking insists everyone clear out by eleven o'clock...meaning no hanging around until the bulk of the traffic and any overt idiocy to go away.

So we passed. We'll make our own fireworks, heh.

I didn't even want to drive down into this mess to pick her up...begging her off on her office manager and friend who lives a mile away. She just got home with a great Detroit story...the only tailgating they saw on the way out of downtown was at Larned and I-75. A circle of cop cars were surrounding the scene of an obviously VERY smoky fire...turned out to be the officers' grille. Wonder if they've got any pork in that smoker.

Cheers!

[sumas]

Oops forgot, last year we went and sat in our church parking lot at the northern end of Lafayette Park. Great views. We took two folding chairs and two of our dogs. Sat in peace and quiet, enjoyed the show in perfect solitude.

The zoo started when we tried to get home. We live near Belle Isle and police blocked roads all around for traffic control. THEY WOULD NOT LET US THROUGH EVEN THOUGH WE EXPLAINED WE LIVE THERE. With all the traffic control road blocks it took us an hour and a half to get home. We live 8 minutes from our church. It was just nuts, Not doing that again.

[Johnnny5]

Ha, I don't hate anything or anyone, but am learning to despise some folks' lack of reading comprehension. I never said it was a new rule, just that I bumped into it at an inconvenient time...MY time that I usually have alone on the island first thing in the morning. If the city kept the park closed to morning vehicle traffic, it was just as stupid a rule then as it remains now.

Silly asses.

I don't see the purpose in closing the island off to vehicular traffic before 2 p.m.

That is one of the most fucked-up rules yet devised after this state coup of the island.

I did not comment earlier, but I must have the same reading comprehension problem. I read it a couple times and it sure appears that you are suggesting that it's a new rule.

I think the 2pm cutoff is an annoyance, but is just a necessary evil given the potential problems. Otherwise the DNR would be facing the possibly of dealing with people getting to the island unreasonably early to save spots and large crowds that may have been on the island [[And possibly drinking) for the entire day. That and they would have to arrange for a massive increase in staffing and facilities to accommodate large crowds for the entire day, instead of just half the day as they do now.

[sumas]

Most grateful everything was orderly. Personally I have zippo issues with Belle Isle becoming a state park and no problems complying with rules and regs.

[Smirnoff]

Great job by all Law Enforcement [[fed, state, county, city)!