DETROIT – Families packed Belle Isle on Memorial Day, pushing the state park to its maximum vehicle capacity for the first time this year as sunshine drew crowds to the island.
Traffic into the park slowed to a crawl on Monday (May 25).
A drive from downtown Detroit that typically takes minutes stretched to much longer, with vehicles bumper-to-bumper, and a Local 4-tracked trip took 38 minutes to reach the island.
Once inside, the scene looked like summer: tents, grills, and music dotted the park as families set up elaborate picnic spots along the water.
For Jacinta Lyons and her family, the holiday was about togetherness and remembrance.
“We’re celebrating Memorial Day as a family,” Lyons said, adding the day also honors her son-in-law, who she said died during the Persian Gulf conflict.
Others leaned into the festive atmosphere, bringing decorations and flowers to brighten their picnic space.
The warm temperatures also brought many visitors to the shoreline for the first beach day of the year.
Amid cookouts and crowds, families said they were mindful of the holiday’s purpose.
“We’re just happy to be here, family united,” said a relative of Lyons’. “Just to come together collectively, and there’s nothing better than being together on a day like this.”