Fort Street Bridge Park Will Open in Detroit This Fall
The new park will serve as a key access point for the developing 29-mile Lower Rouge River Water Trail.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in National Parks
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Detroit residents will gain public access to the Fort Street Bridge Park starting in fall 2026. The site will feature a river launch for paddlers and a monument honoring the 1932 Ford Hunger March.
Why it matters
The park is a central component of a larger regional initiative to establish a 29-mile water trail along the Lower Rouge River. This project enhances local recreational infrastructure and provides historical recognition for labor history.
The park project carries a total budget of $1.24 million and is part of a plan to construct nine trailheads across the 29-mile water trail network. Friends of the Rouge received a $20,000 grant from MotorCities National Heritage Areas to support the initiative.
The players
Gilbert Family Foundation
This foundation serves as a primary funding partner for the development of the park project.
MotorCities National Heritage Areas
This organization provided a $20,000 grant to support the water trail efforts.
Friends of the Rouge
This local group is a key stakeholder managing the development of the river trail access points.
City of Detroit
The local municipal government is a major partner in funding and planning the city-based park.
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
This organization is one of the primary financial contributors behind the Fort Street Bridge Park.
The details
The park provides a crucial stopping and launch point for recreational paddlers traveling between upstream locations and Belanger Park. It also commemorates the 1932 Ford Hunger March, a significant historical event that occurred near the site.
Timeline
The Ford Hunger March occurred in 1932.
The first phase of Fort Street Bridge Park opened in fall 2020.
Two water trail launches opened in Westland in summer 2025.
Fort Street Bridge Park is expected to open to the public in fall 2026.
Travel Outlook
The project follows the multi-year development trajectory of the Lower Rouge River Water Trail plan. By linking new urban access points to existing trailheads like those in Westland, the initiative seeks to increase regional recreational connectivity.
Paddlers and local residents can look forward to a new launch point for recreational trips toward Belanger Park when the site opens in 2026. This park will serve as a permanent stopping point for those navigating the water trail.
The takeaway
The opening of this site marks a significant step in converting industrial-adjacent riverfronts into accessible public recreational space. Residents should monitor future announcements regarding the exact opening date in the fall of 2026 to plan their first river outings.
Further reading
Explore more projects and recreational updates in the National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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