Work is officially underway on a beautiful and impactful new feature at Ford House: an elevated boardwalk that will wind through the wooded wetland near our Visitor Center. While it’s just one part of our ambitious multi-year Shoreline Restoration Project, this new experience will offer big benefits for both our visitors and the environment.
Guests of all ages can explore the wetlands like never before, gaining a deeper connection to nature in all seasons. For our Education department, the boardwalk will also serve as a dynamic outdoor classroom where students can explore the ecology of wetlands and learn how humans can support and sustain natural habitats.
Restoring the Shoreline, Reviving the Ecosystem
Ford House’s Shoreline Restoration Project is a long-term initiative focused on reviving the shoreline and its neighboring habitats to ensure a sustainable environment for the future. These efforts help us create a stronger, more resilient ecosystem where native plants and animals can thrive, improving stormwater management and filtering runoff before it reaches Lake St. Clair.
The boardwalk is being constructed with this restoration mission in mind. It provides a low-impact way for people to experience the wetlands up close, without disrupting the fragile systems that make them so essential to the health of our region.
Education in Action
Once complete, the boardwalk will become a cornerstone of Ford House’s education programs. It offers an ideal setting for school groups, nature camps, and community programs to explore topics like biodiversity, conservation, and climate resilience.
Students can see, hear, and feel the rhythms of a real wetland, from the rustling reeds to the darting frogs to the hum of pollinators. These immersive experiences spark curiosity and leave lasting impressions, helping a new generation understand the importance of protecting and restoring natural spaces.
Ecological Integrity at the Forefront
As with every step of the Shoreline Restoration Project, this work has been guided by care and science. Only trees that were already dead or in the process of dying were removed to clear the boardwalk path. In their place, we will plant more native trees and plants than were removed, enhancing the diversity and long-term health of the wooded wetland.
Over time, this restored habitat will help support the full range of native species—from birds and insects to amphibians and aquatic life—ensuring a rich, functioning ecosystem for years to come.
What's Ahead
Construction is underway now, and the boardwalk is expected to open later this year. Once complete, it will invite guests into a new kind of Ford House experience—one that’s peaceful, immersive, and deeply connected to the natural world.
Stay tuned as we share progress photos, behind-the-scenes updates, and educational insights from our team and partners. We can’t wait to welcome you to this beautiful new path through the wild.
Be Part of the Journey
This boardwalk is one of many ways we’re working to create a sustainable future at Ford House—one rooted in restoration, learning, and responsible stewardship. Follow along for updates, and consider visiting soon to experience the transformation firsthand.
Learn more about the Shoreline Restoration Project.
