Open Streets comes to Rouge Park

Detroit Grand Prix exhibit car - Photo by Frank Nemecek

An estimated 1,400 people came out for the inaugural edition of Open Streets Rouge Park this past Saturday. A three-mile loop of roads was closed inside Rouge Park from 1 - 5 p.m. to allow a coalition of non-profits, government agencies, and businesses to showcase all that the largest park in Detroit has to offer.

This included everything from tours of the newly redeveloped Scout Hollow as well as:

• Archery demonstrations from Elite Archery, which is the company that maintains the Rouge Park Archery Range;
• Lacrosse demonstrations from Detroit City Lacrosse;
• Hiking on the miles of park trails;
• Bike rentals from Wheelhouse Detroit and cycling events; and
• Race car exhibit by the Detroit Grand Prix.

All of this was in addition 28 other events, displays, and information tables.

Bike rentals by Wheelhouse Detroit - Photo by Frank Nemecek

"There are so many wonderful amenities in Rouge Park, and this was a great way to highlight the natural beauty that exists in Detroit’s largest park," explained Lisa Nuszkowski, one of the event organizers. "We hope that Open Streets gives more Detroiters the opportunity to experience the city’s public spaces on foot and by bike."