Grosse Pointe Park

Park invites community to dinner

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE PARK — As summer draws to a close, the city of Grosse Pointe Park is inviting people to one final dinner outdoors.

The city’s business district on Kercheval — known as The Park — will be the site of After 6 on Kercheval, an event that runs from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Kercheval between Maryland and Beaconsfield will be closed to vehicle traffic that evening to make way for outdoor food vendors, tables and chairs for diners, and a beverage tent. In addition, Parks and Recreation Director Terry Solomon said the Sean Z Trio will be playing jazz, pop, rock and more in the parking lot of the now-closed Mulier’s Market, against the backdrop of a large movie screen facing Alter Road that will be playing film clips without sound. LED lights will be strung along the street to light the area, she said. Visitors can also dine at any of the existing restaurants in the area.

“I thought it would be a very fun way to kick off (the end of) summer,” Solomon said.

She said they’re trying to create the sort of hip, young vibe that typifies communities with flourishing downtowns like Royal Oak.

Although families are welcome, “We’re kind of looking at this to be an adult time out,” Solomon said. “Everything (else) we do is always family- and kids-oriented.”

Those who wish to purchase alcoholic beverages should bring identification with them, she said.

There’s no rain date for this event, Solomon said.

“I just hope it’s a beautiful night,” she said. “I know if it’s a gorgeous night, people will come out, and it will be a win-win for our vendors, for our businesses and for our community.”

The concept was the brainchild of City Manager Dale Krajniak, who felt After 6 on Kercheval would be good for the business district and also lure new residents.

“The city is looking to establish an atmosphere on Kercheval which will focus on marketing our community and small business by attracting and entertaining both current and future homeowners and renters,” he said by email. “The city has, over the years, invested a lot of energy in our parks system, which in turn created recreational facilities that are unsurpassed. This same degree of attention and energy will now be focused on our commercial districts, beginning with Kercheval.”

As this is a drop-in event, there’s no registration needed, Solomon said, and there’s no admission fee. After 6 on Kercheval is open to anyone who wants to come, she said. Besides on-street parking, Solomon said, attendees should find plenty of spaces at Defer Middle School or Pierce Elementary School, both of which are only about two blocks from the site.

Organizers hope to draw at least a couple of thousand attendees. If it’s a hit, Solomon said, they’d likely host more events like this next year.

At press time, a flier with information about After 6 on Kercheval was slated to be posted on the Park’s website, www.grossepointepark.org.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.