Ford House reopened nearly a mile of Lake St. Clair shoreline to the public on July 7, 2026. The reopened Ford House shoreline caps a $7 million habitat restoration funded by NOAA. It also adds a new accessible walking path, access to Bird Island, and more than 50,000 native plants.
For years, this stretch of waterfront sat mostly out of public reach. Now it is open, greener, and built to help the Great Lakes. Here is what reopened, what it cost, and why it matters.
Looking for more places to explore this summer? See our 100 Things To Do in Detroit guide.
What Reopened at Ford House
The shoreline is open again along Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores. Notably, the centerpiece is a new, fully accessible path. It runs about 1,600 feet from the Visitor Center to the Main Residence.
The path was designed for everyone. For example, it follows a gentle berm and meets ADA standards, so wheelchairs and strollers can roll right along the water. In addition, a 400-foot boardwalk carries visitors over restored wooded wetlands.
The project also reopened Bird Island. As a result, visitors can once again reach a quiet pocket of coastal marsh and forest on the estate. In turn, birders and walkers have a fresh place to slow down and look out at the lake.
A $7 Million Habitat Project, Funded by NOAA
Still, the restoration was not just about the view. Indeed, it was a serious environmental project. Ford House secured a $7 million grant from NOAA in 2023 to make it happen.
The money came through NOAA Fisheries and its Community-based Restoration Program. In other words, this was a publicly funded effort to heal a piece of the Great Lakes. In all, crews rebuilt the shoreline of Ford Cove and the wetlands around it.
The work was hands-on. For example, the team placed felled trees and natural materials in the water to mimic where fish lay their eggs. They also planted more than 50,000 native perennials and 500 trees and shrubs. Together, those roots hold the shoreline and feed local wildlife.
Why the Ford House Shoreline Matters
Importantly, the benefits reach well past the estate. For instance, a healthy shoreline filters water before it enters Lake St. Clair. As a result, the project cuts the phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment that flow into the lake.
It also rebuilds habitat that fish and birds need. Fish use these calm, shallow waters to spawn. Birds use the marsh to rest and nest. In short, a healthy cove ripples out into a healthier lake. Meanwhile, the new path turns all of that into a living classroom for visitors.
There is history here too. The estate was the lakeside home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, finished in 1929 and designed by architect Albert Kahn. Today it is a National Historic Landmark and a public museum. As a result, the restored shoreline adds a living, natural layer to an already storied site. It also fits a wider wave of waterfront investment, from the new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park downtown to the projects in our Detroit Projects 2026 roundup.
How to Visit the Ford House Shoreline
Ford House sits at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. That puts it about a 20-minute drive from downtown Detroit. The new shoreline path connects the Visitor Center and the Main Residence, so it is easy to add to a visit.
Also, plan ahead before you go. For example, check fordhouse.org for current hours, admission, and event days. The accessible path makes the shoreline a strong pick for families, older visitors, and anyone using a wheelchair or stroller.
Bring a camera. Overall, the lake views, the boardwalk, and Bird Island make for an easy, scenic walk close to the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ford House Shoreline
What reopened at Ford House? Ford House reopened nearly a mile of restored Lake St. Clair shoreline on July 7, 2026. It includes a new accessible walking path, a wetland boardwalk, and public access to Bird Island.
Where is the Ford House shoreline? The shoreline is at Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, on Lake St. Clair. It sits about a 20-minute drive from downtown Detroit.
Who paid for the restoration? A $7 million grant from NOAA funded the project. Ford House secured it in 2023 through NOAA Fisheries and its Community-based Restoration Program, making it a publicly funded habitat effort.
Is the shoreline path accessible? Yes. The main path is ADA-accessible and runs about 1,600 feet from the Visitor Center to the Main Residence. A 400-foot boardwalk also crosses the restored wetlands.
What was added to the habitat? Crews planted more than 50,000 native perennials plus 500 trees and shrubs. They also built fish habitat in Ford Cove to help native species spawn and to filter the lake.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Ford House shoreline is a rare win for both people and the lake. First, it gives the region a new place to walk by the water. At the same time, it gives the Great Lakes cleaner, healthier habitat. That is the kind of project worth a summer visit.
Check hours at fordhouse.org, and follow @rawdetroit for more of the region worth knowing.