Chief Berriman warns Friday night parking will be a ‘bear’

Belleville Police Chief Hal Berriman warns that parking in the city of Belleville is going to be difficult on Friday, June 19, when from 800 to 1,000 runners from out of town are expected to be in the city for the Kona Strawberry Run.
Friday is the first day of the Belleville National Strawberry Festival which runs through Sunday.
The runners will be parking at Belleville High School and will walk over to Horizon Park where the races are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. High Street will be shut down for the starts of the races.
Those attending the 7 p.m. Strawberry Festival Queen contest at Belleville High School also will be parking in the high school parking lot, Chief Berriman said.
Also, those seeking to attend the carnival next to BHS will be looking hard for parking spaces.
Chief Berriman said that’s why he warns that parking will be limited on Friday night and his department will be out enforcing moving and especially parking violations.
He said Wayne County road crews will take their equipment away from East Huron River Drive on the Thursday before the festival and won’t bring it back until the Monday after the festival, if there is more work to be done. Thus, East Huron River Drive will be open to traffic during the festival.
But, he said, the city has always had a problem with people parking on East and West Huron River Drive and blocking driveways during the festival. He said there is no parking on Huron River Drive and that will be enforced.
Also, he said, he hopes the new Harbour Pointe parking regulations will be followed to assure open access to the subdivision for emergency vehicles.
Chief Berriman said parking is “going to be a bear for Friday night,” but the days after that should be fine.