Wilmette Police Outline Street Closings, Bus Routes for July 3 Fireworks

Wilmette, IL—The Wilmette Police Department outlined the village's plans for street closings and bus routes for this year's Independence Day celebration July 3.

As part of a statement released Friday, June 24, police also advised residents to plan ahead if they were going to view this year's fireworks at Gillson Park from Langdon Park. Because of Lake Michigan's rising water levels, there is less public beach space to watch the pyrotechnics.

The following press release from Wilmette police gives the details about what streets will be opened and closed and how the buses will be running:

The Wilmette Park District Fun Run/Walk and Youth Runs are being held on Sunday, July 3, between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. There will be temporary road closures during this event on the following streets: Michigan Avenue; Sheridan Road; Central Avenue; 4th Street; Greenleaf Avenue; Poplar Avenue; Wilmette Avenue; and 10th Street.

RELATED: When to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Wilmette

The Independence Day 2016 Celebration, hosted by the Wilmette Park District, will take place on Sunday, July 3, at Gillson Park. As in previous years, road closures will occur near the park in order to safely accommodate the large volume of pedestrian traffic. Roads will be closed at 6 p.m. and re-opened at approximately 10:30 p.m.

• Sheridan Road between Lake Avenue and Isabella will be closed. Southbound vehicles will be detoured at Lake and then west to Green Bay Road. Northbound traffic will be detoured at Isabella and directed westbound to Poplar and then to Green Bay Road.
• 700 and 800 blocks of Michigan Avenue
• 4th Street will be closed between Lake and Central.
• Washington will be closed east of 4th.
• Central will be closed east of 4th.
• Greenleaf, Linden and Maple will be closed east of 3rd.
• 3rd Street will be closed for north bound traffic at Greenleaf.

Handicap Parking and Drop Off/Pick UP Zone

Limited handicap parking will be available in the Gillson Beach Lot. Handicap drop off and pick up will be available at the Gillson Beach House. Traffic will be routed east on Lake Avenue to Sheridan Road, north on Sheridan Road to Forest Avenue; east on Forest Avenue to Michigan Avenue; south on Michigan Avenue to Lake Avenue; east on Lake Avenue to the Beach House to Drop Off Zone and exit the Beach Lot west on Lake Avenue. Signs will be posted along Lake Avenue west of Sheridan Road; along Sheridan Road north of Lake; along Forest Avenue east of Sheridan Road and along Michigan Avenue south of Forest Avenue directing vehicles to this zone.

Parking

In Gillson Park, there is only parking in Gillson Beach Parking Lot for vehicles with beach parking permits. However, the Gillson Beach lot is normally full by 4 p.m.

The following are other public parking locations:

• Edens Plaza (free and recommended for in the evening)
• Wilmette Metra Commuter Lot or Village Hall lot (free and recommended)
• CTA Lot
• Legal street parking on side streets west of 5th Street.

Pace Bus Route

Special Fireworks Shuttle buses will operate between Edens Plaza and Gillson Park, traveling east on Lake, south on 12th Street, east on Central to Gillson Park, dropping off passengers on Michigan, south of Washington. There will be a $4.00 fare (cash or Ventra card) required that includes Return Trip Ticket. Seniors with a valid Circuit Ride Free Permit and children under the age of 7 are free.

Passengers are reminded to please have exact fare ready when they board (driver cannot make change) and to watch for the special marked loading areas at the park for the return trip.

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