PIER PARK HARBOR UPDATE (04/28/2020)
Dear Boaters:

Last Thursday, Governor Whitmer issued a new Executive Order to allow motorized boating. With that news, we are officially opening the harbor, as scheduled, on Friday, May 1. However, with the “Stay at Home Order” still in place until May 15, there are modifications on how the harbor will operate until the order is lifted.

The following modifications apply during the Executive Order and are subject to change as warranted:

  • Boats will not be permitted into the Harbor prior to May 1st. If any boat is in the Harbor prior to May 1 the boat owner will assume liability for their boat due to limited staffing.
  • Beginning May 1st, the Pier Park hours will be from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Boaters Rules/Guidelines during the Governor’s Order are tentatively in place until May 15th:
  • All boaters must follow the CDC and the Governor’s Order on social distancing which requires maintaining a 6ft distance from others not in your immediate family.
  • Boaters should only be utilizing their boat with their immediate family or family residing in the same house per the Governor’s Order.
  • Boat Lift operation will be by appointment only. During this time the lift will only be utilized for boaters who have a well at Pier Park.  To schedule an appointment to use the lift, please email cgalatis@grossepointefarms.org.
  • Boaters will not be permitted to stay on their boats overnight due to limited park hours.
  • We ask that all boaters are cognizant of closing time and exit the park by 9 p.m. to ensure no one is locked in.
  • The Community Building and restrooms will be closed during the Stay at Home Order.

In addition, high water levels remain an issue this boating season. The Army Corp’s latest projection is water levels are will be similar to the high point of 2019. If water levels stay at or below the 2019 high water mark, there is no anticipated reduction in service. If water levels exceed those of 2019, electrical service will need to be disconnected in areas of lower elevations and if water levels are significantly higher, areas of the harbor could lose boat access.

The park staff has continued to take a proactive approach and has added risers on the finger piers on the Zero, 300, 400 & 500 docks and will continue to build risers on the 200 and 600 docks. We will continue to work with all boaters in an effort to ensure boat access.

The park staff and I are extremely excited that the harbor will be opening on May 1st. Please be mindful to follow the additional guidelines listed above to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you should have any questions or concerns, please let me know. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Stay safe and healthy,


Chris Galatis, CPRP
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Grosse Pointe Farms Parks and Recreation