Put-in-Bay Garden Club

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.

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.
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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Picture8-15-2015 Yoga on the Beach
Beach Beautification

​In coordination with the Put-in-Bay City Council, the Beach Beautification is another focus of the PIB Garden Club.  Our beautification efforts include a charming boardwalk, colorful flowers and picnic amenities.  PIB Garden Club members strive to continually enhance the beauty of our natural beach.  The beach is alongside and north of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, operated by the National Park Services.  The Memorial is affectionately called The Monument or Perry's Monument by islanders and visitors. The Monument, completed in 1915, rises 352 feet in the air and can be seen from the mainland, as well as the island.  Sand has been reclaimed for the project and drainage and other improvements to the property are underway.  Fundraising through donations from the public and collection of membership dues allow the PIB Garden Club to seek federal grants to aid in the funding of this ongoing project.
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.
Board of Directors - 2019

Barb Hunter, President
Kathy Schrader, Vice President
Pam Rudolph, Secretary
Gail McCracken, Treasurer
Candy Baker, Golf Cart
Donna D'Amico, Membership
Jean Hilt, Everything else
Kathi Spayde, Social Media
440-856-5437


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Put-in-Bay Garden Club
P.O. BOX 815
Put-in-Bay, Ohio   43456