Press Release: 2024-12-03
Healey-Driscoll Administration & City of Salem Celebrate Opening of Salem Willows Fishing Pier
The $5 million project will provide public access to Salem Harbor for thousands of residents and visitors annually.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/02/2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Julia E. Hopkins, Communications Director
Phone
Call Julia E. Hopkins, Communications Director at 857-408-0362
Online
Email Julia E. Hopkins, Communications Director at julia.e.hopkins@mass.gov
SALEM — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration joined the City of Salem, state and local leaders, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the newly rebuilt Salem Willows Fishing Pier. Since 2020, the Department of Fish & Game’s (DFG) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and Office of Fishing & Boating Access (OFBA) have partnered with the City of Salem to restore the iconic fishing pier in Salem Willows Park. The project, which cost $5 million, will enhance public access for thousands of visitors each year.
“It’s an honor to welcome residents and visitors back to the Salem Willows Fishing Pier. This pier is more than just a place to fish—it is a place where families have gathered for generations to connect with nature, share traditions, and make life-long memories,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In the heart of Salem, this project showcases what we can accomplish when we come together to create space for community and connection with nature in our cities. With the revitalization of Salem Willows, we are putting Salem on the map as a destination for outdoor recreation and improving the quality of life for all our North Shore residents.”
"Projects like this are important for creating an accessible and inclusive waterfront for everyone. By investing in the Salem Willows Fishing Pier, we are opening up more ways for people tot connect with nature and each other,” said Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This pier is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration, reflecting the hard work of all the individuals and organizations who made this vision a reality. The pier will serve as a lasting resource for generations to come."
“The Willows pier is such a special space in Salem and central in the memories of so many who grew up here and who are part of our community today,” said City of Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “Thanks to this project it will continue to be so for generations to come, providing public access to our historic waterfront, opportunities for recreational fishing, and a place for us to connect with nature and with one another. On behalf of the City, we’re so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and all of the state agencies that helped fund and advance this project.”
Originally constructed in 1894, the pier stood for over 100 years before it was demolished due to deterioration, storm damage, and sea-level rise impacts. In 2020, the City of Salem and Division of Marine Fisheries formalized a multi-year partnership to rebuild the iconic pier, the centerpiece of Salem Willows Park. Completed in November 2024, the new pier extends over 300 feet into Salem Sound and features a T-shaped end, allowing for maximum access to the most coveted location for angling. The pier provides essential public access for urban and Environmental Justice communities to fishing and outdoor recreation, a key priority of DFG. The new pier is fully ADA-compliant, expanding access for people of all abilities to visit, cast a line, and enjoy the scenery.
The $5 million project was funded by numerous partners. The City of Salem contributed over half of the funding for the project, including the full cost of demolishing the old pier. Nearly $2 million came from the sale of saltwater fishing licenses, through DMF’s Saltwater Recreational Fishing Fund, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program. The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and education. Finally, the Seaport Economic Council contributed $700,000 to support this project, which will drive tourism and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
“Access to nature is essential for the health and well-being of our communities. By creating inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities like Salem Willows Fishing Pier, we can ensure all people have a unique chance to be on the water connecting with the ocean and natural world around them,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are so excited to see people already fishing from the pier and look forward to educating countless new anglers at our fishing clinics in the years to come.”
“Today’s celebration would not be possible without the significant contributions of our state’s recreational anglers, who's annual purchase of saltwater fishing licenses plays an important role in funding public access projects like this statewide,” said DMF Director Daniel McKiernan.“Thank you to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel, the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, DFG’s Office of Fishing & Boating Access, and our many partners and dedicated staff who’ve championed this project and secured a worldclass fishing pier that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
“Our coastal towns are a major attraction for visitors because of their striking natural landscape and accessible waterways,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba, Vice Chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “The restoration of the Salem Willows Pier will drive economic growth in Salem by supporting fishing activities, boat rental businesses, and improving vessel access. The Seaport Economic Council is proud to invest in this project and we look forward to seeing its impact in this region.”
“I am thrilled at the return of the Salem Willows Fishing Pier, a resource that enhances access to recreational fishing and to our beautiful coastline here in Salem,” said State Senator Joan Lovely (D—2nd Essex). “Thank you to the Department of Fish and Game for their commitment to this project and to ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy this pier for years to come.”
Planning, design, and construction of the project were completed in partnership by the City of Salem, the Department of Fish & Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries and Office of Fishing & Boating Access, and contractors ACK Marine and GZA Environmental.