Open Streets settles into Southwest Detroit for a third year

What would Detroit’s wide open streets look like without car traffic? For the past couple years, Open Streets Detroit has brought bikes, pedestrians, strollers, scooters, games, activities, and more to Michigan Avenue and West Vernor in downtown, Corktown, and Southwest Detroit. The event returns October 7 from 12 to 5 p.m.

But first, the Open Streets event scheduled for Detroit’s biggest park—Rouge Park— will take place August 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event was scheduled in July but was rained out.

The path for the original Open Streets stays the same—Beacon Park to Roosevelt Park to Clark Park. The event not only opens the streets for healthy activities, but it gives businesses more foot traffic and a chance to showcase their goods to visitors.

“Over the last few years, we have received a lot of positive feedback from participants and business owners in Southwest Detroit, and we’re looking forward to working with community organizations, businesses, and residents to make this year’s OSD: Southwest the best one yet,” said Lisa Nuszkowski, Project Lead, Open Streets Detroit. “We’ve found that community members look forward to the opportunity to experience their streets in a new way through a wide range of healthy, active programming.”

Open Streets is currently looking for program partners to set up family-friendly activities in health, wellness, and the arts along the route.

Last year, photographers Michelle & Chris Gerard captured the sights and people in the streets.