Programs and volunteer activities - open to all.
​June Growers Tour is limited to members only.

Put-in-Bay / South Bass Island

The picturesque Village of Put-in-Bay is on South Bass Island on Lake Erie in Ottawa County, Ohio, 41.6531° N, 82.8175° W.  The colorful island is frequented by many visitors, primarily in the summer months.  It is home to approximately 500 year round residents and hundreds more during the warmer seasons.  The island community is home to a wealth of historical sites and is a popular Ohio tourist destination.
The Put-in-Bay Garden Club, organized in 2009, is proud of our island and seeks to continually enhance its natural beauty.  Our efforts are enjoyed by island residents and the many summer visitors who boat, ferry, or fly to the island.  Recognizing the uniqueness of the community and its surroundings, the PIB Garden Club came into existence to help ensure the continued beauty and vitality of Put-in-Bay and South Bass Island for residents and non-residents alike.

The PIB Garden Club's original purpose was the beautification of the DeRiviera Park in downtown Put-in-Bay, which it sought to accomplish by raising money to purchase lamppost baskets for the existing lampposts situated around the park.  Members created greeting cards, organized a Garden Tour, and designed shirts, all of which were sold in furtherance of its fundraising efforts. Numerous donations from the community also helped to underwrite these projects.  The baskets, soil and plant material were originally purchased in May 2010.  Volunteers, both individuals and businesses, maintained the lamppost baskets by watering and fertilizing them.  Many of these projects and more continue today.

Given the success of its original project, the PIB Garden Club planned a number of additional projects for future seasons.  These included beautification of the island beach, alongside Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, operated by the National Park Services.

​The PIB Garden Club currently plants and maintains the Village Lamppost Flower Baskets that grace the enchanting DeRivera Park. The Park lies between the boat docks in the harbor and the colorful shops along the downtown streets.  Each year the PIB Garden Club purchases and plants new flowers.  Volunteer members lovingly water, fertilize, and maintain each basket on a daily basis.

Please enjoy the monthly programs with speakers and workshops that are open to all members and guests.
 PictureBayview and Hartford Garden
​DeRivera Park Gardens
The new DeRivera Park Gardens were designed by All Seasons Landscaping from Medina, Ohio in coordination with Garden Club members Jody Frimel, Susan Hildebrandt, Sue Thwaite, and board members.  Major funding was provided by Put in Bay Village and DeRivera Park Trust. The Put in Bay Garden Club also contributed funds toward the projects.  Two of the gardens are located by the lift stations in front of the Beer Barrel and near the Park bathhouse. A garden surrounds the DeRivera Park Sign by the Boardwalk and another is located across from Frosty's Bar.  Another garden is across from the Jet Express at Bayview and Hartford Avenues.  The newest garden (November-2019) is at the corner of Delaware and Hartford Avenues.  Four trees were planted around the Park, as well.  The Garden Club maintains the flower beds. These project required many hours, including: design, selection of plant materials, and review and presentation of the concept for approval. The gardens have been added over the last several years.
​DeRivera Park Fountain

The PIB Garden Club oversaw the updating of the Park Fountain with new sandblasting, repainting and fundraising to support the project.
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Picture
​Post Office Garden

In 2024, the PIB Garden Club updated the garden at the entry to the post office, giving it a fresh, new look.
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​The Put-in-Bay Garden Club is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the beauty of South Bass Island.

The Garden Club raises funds to establish and maintain designated green areas of the island, educates members on horticultural topics, sponsors garden-related field trips and social activities, hosts Home and Garden Tours, and engages in other projects to enhance the island's beauty.  The Garden Club promotes opportunities to work with volunteers, community members, the Village of Put-in-Bay, Put-in-Bay Township, and DeRivera Park Trust.
Board of Directors

Sheri Murphy, President
Pam Rudolph, Secretary
Jean Hilt, Treasurer
Candy Baker, Golf Cart
Lisa Berens, Mayfly Netting
Jody Frimel, Basket Planting and Care
Barb Hunter, Gardens
​Susan Hildebrandt, Programs
​Kathy Schrader, Home & Garden Tour
Kathi Spayde, Membership + Media
440-856-5437​
Put-in-Bay Garden Club
P.O. BOX 815
Put-in-Bay, Ohio   43456