Parks and Recreation

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*Please check the City Calendar for holiday office hours.

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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.

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.

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Park Use Permit

Two types of permits are available to residents to increase guest privileges for a specific event. A Community Organization Permit is 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. A Group Permit is 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. For a complete list of guidelines, please refer to the application. Applications are available for Grosse Pointe Woods residents who are entitled to guest privileges. Applications are available at the Lake Front Park office. This application may only be submitted beginning April 1 of each year for the subsequent park pass season (May 1 through April 30). Applications must be submitted at least one week prior to the requested date and are only accepted at the Lake Front Park office during office hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Applications left at the front gate will be void.

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Picnic Accommodations

Lake Front Park provides the following amenities for residents to enjoy a picnic:

• Picnic tables
• Small and five large barbeque grills
• Three small and one large picnic pavilion
• Four gazebos
• One large sun shelter
• Playscapes
• Tent rental - 30 x 30 tents are available to rent at $100 per tent plus $25 for sides, if needed. Set-up is restricted to designated areas. Full payment must be paid at time of reservation.

All pavilions and gazeboes can be reserved with a $25 fee.

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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

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Sport Facilities

The following sports are available throughout the park:

• A sand volleyball court
• A basketball court
• Two Platform tennis courts* – year round
• Ten Outdoor tennis courts* – seasonal
• Bocce ball courts (balls available at Activities Building)
• Shuffleboard courts

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Walking Path

A 1.4 mile lighted, paved path for walking, jogging, biking, in-line and roller skating (no skate-boarding or motorized vehicles). Safety apparel is recommended. The path will be kept clear of snow for use during the winter season.

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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. Dock fee information can be obtained from the Lake Front Park office. Also, daily and season boat launch passes are available at the front gate for a nominal fee.

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Pedestrian Bridge

From Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, the retractable pedestrian bridge is attended during pool hours. An attendant opens and closes the bridge as foot and boat traffic demands. From May 1 until the pool opens and from Labor Day until November 1, the bridge remains open for boat traffic. November 1 through May 1 the bridge remains in a closed position for pedestrian crossing.

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Boardwalk

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. Residents may reserve any of the gazebos for ceremonies. Call the park office for information and reservations.

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Concession Stand

Operated by an independent vendor, the concession stand offers a wide selection of food items at reasonable prices. The concession stand is available when the pool is open.

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Fishing Terrace

A fishing terrace, extending approximately ten feet into the water is located in front of the large gazebo on the Lake Front Park boardwalk.

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Park Bus

A bus offers daily transportation to and from Lake Front Park, Monday through Friday. 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. Click the following link to open the Bus Schedule.

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Organized Activities at Lake Front Park

The Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of organized activities. Contact the Lake Front Park office for class schedules and registration information.

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Walk 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.

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