Parks and Recreation
Lake Front Park
Supervisor:
Email:
Location:
Telephone:
Fax:
Office Hours:
Melissa Sharp
parks@gpwmi.us
Lake Front Park
23000 East Jefferson
Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
(313) 343-2470
(313) 343-2600
*Please check the
City Calendar for holiday office hours.
The largest of the municipal parks and the pride of the community, Lake Front Park is comprised of 55 acres of green lawn that borders Lake St. Clair and boasts the largest outdoor swimming complex in Michigan.
The acreage was acquired in 1948, after residents of Grosse Pointe Woods voted in 1947 to purchase the land adjacent to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford home. The City purchased the land for $60,000 from Eleanor Clay Ford, who was the original owner. The land is in the jurisdiction of St. Clair Shores and, as a result, Grosse Pointe Woods pays taxes to that city in the amount of $100,000 annually. In return, St. Clair Shores provides police, fire and emergency services.
Entry to Lake Front Park is limited to resident park pass holders. Click here for park pass information.
The Community Center mails park pass applications to residents in early spring. Park passes must be validated at the Community Center in order to gain entry to any of the city parks.
The Activities Building is open year-round from 8 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Boardwalk and Fishing Terrace
Seven hundred eighty feet of boardwalk allows visitors to stroll along the lake and enjoy the view and balmy breezes with convenient seating, lighting and three gazebos. Along the boardwalk, fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the fishing terrace, extending approximately ten feet into the water.>
For information about renting the gazebos along the boardwalk, view the
Park Use Application Guidelines
Bus Service
A bus offers daily transportation to and from Lake Front Park, Monday through Friday, seasonally. Admission to the bus is by valid park pass. No child under the age of 8 may board the bus unless accompanied by a person 16 years or older.
For operation dates, routes, and times view the LFP Bus Schedule
Concession Stand
Operated by an independent vendor, the concession stand offers a wide selection of food items at reasonable prices. The concession stand is open during pool hours.
Dog Park
The dog park is located between the Milk River and the Ford property along Jefferson Avenue in Lake Front Park. An annual dog park pass is required for entry. The dog park pass fee is $20.
Dog park applications are available at the Community Center. Applications must be completed by a GPW dog owner of at least 18 years of age and submitted to the Community Center with proof of a GPW dog license, proof of vaccination (DHPP and Bordatella), and proof of homeowner’s liability insurance coverage with at least $100,000 minimum coverage that covers injury/damage if caused by the animal.
Marina
With direct access to Lake St. Clair, the marina has dockage space for boats up to 28’ in length. Also available are 10 dry dock spaces for boats on trailers, a rack for 16 kayaks or canoes and 16 floating docks for personal watercraft. To obtain a boat storage space, residents must first apply to get on the wait list at a cost of $10.
View the Harbor Rules and Regulations
A boat launch is also available for boats up to 28 feet in length. The launch is available at no cost to residents with a marina permit. For residents without boat dockage, daily passes are sold at the Front Gate for $12. Season boat launch passes are available at the Community Center for $75.
Park Amenities
Residents wishing to enjoy the aesthetic beauty in the park will find an abundance of picnic tables and grills. A large playscape is located near the Activities Building. Also near the Activities Building, sport enthusiasts will find: an outdoor basketball court, 2 bocce courts, and 2 shuffleboard courts. A volleyball court is situated behind the pool along with two swing sets. For avid tennis players, the park offers two Platform tennis courts and ten outdoor tennis courts. The tennis courts can be reserved beginning at 6 a.m. during the summer and 8 a.m. during the winter on the morning of the desired reservation.
Park Use Applications
Two types of permits are available to residents to increase guest privileges for a specific event. The application offers residents the opportunity to rent picnic facilities for their event.
Community Organization Permits are available for Woods residents affiliated with a Grosse Pointe Woods Organization. A minimum of 50 percent of the attendants must be Woods residents and permits are only granted on weekdays or weekday evenings. A list of names and addresses of all guests and residents must be turned in with this application.
Group Permits are available to residents wishing to bring in up to thirty guests. One request per park pass season (May 1-April 30), per property address may be approved for up to 30 guests to be allowed into the park, without utilizing guest punches. A limited number of applications are accepted per day. Requests are granted in the order received. Permits are not issued on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, or city-observed holidays.
Facility reservations include 4 gazebos, 4 pavilions and 2 tents.
Applications are available for Grosse Pointe Woods residents who are entitled to guest privileges. This application may only be submitted beginning April 1 of each year for the subsequent park pass season (May 1 through April 30).
View the Park Use Application Guidelines or print a Park Use Application
Pool
View the pool and swimming page for information about the pool.
Programs at Lake Front Park
For information about programs offered at Lake Front Park, please visit the Parks and Recreation Programs Website.
Click here to view upcoming social eventsWalk Michigan
Walking enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in the Walk Michigan program at Lake Front Park. For every mile walked, you can complete an entry form to enter a grand prize drawing to win an all-expense-paid Labor Day weekend trip for two to Mackinac Island. The four-day, three-night stay includes hotel accommodations, meals and official Walk Michigan jackets.
Walking Path
A 1.4 mile lighted, paved path for walking, jogging, biking, in-line and roller skating is available year-round. Skate-boarding and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the path. Safety apparel is recommended. The path is kept clear of snow for use during the winter season. A pedestrian bridge allows walkers to complete the loop on the path. From mid-June until Labor Day, the retractable pedestrian bridge is attended from noon – 8 p.m. An attendant opens and closes the bridge as foot and boat traffic demands. From November 1, through April 15, the bridge remains in a closed position for pedestrian crossing.
View the Walking Path Map here.
Winter Activities
Lake Front Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors – even during the winter. Some of the activities available during the winter are:
- Leisure ice skating and hockey on two separate rinks
- Cross-country skiing or snow shoeing throughout the park
- Jogging and walking on the plowed and salted path
- Platform tennis on two heated courts
- Sledding on a small snow hill
