Duff Vineyard

The Put-in-Bay Township Park District is excited to announce the beginning of a capital fundraising campaign for the purchase of an 11-acre parcel of property owned by Walt and Sue Duff behind the Duff home on Bayview Ave. Five of these acres are in vineyard. This is the third and final phase of the Duff Park property acquisition.

Four generations of the Duff Family have tended this vineyard. For over a century, this property has produced grapes that were sold to local wineries to produce wines unique to the Lake Erie Islands. Most recently, five varieties of grapes have been grown.

The Park District envisions this property as a public farm park with trails, historical grape production, orchard areas, public events involving historical farm activities such as grape picking and cider making, nature watching and photography (a bald eagle nest is close), environmental education, habitat improvements, pollinator prairie, and even the potential for a portion of the
property to be a wedding/event venue.

The capital campaign fundraising goal is $1.1 million. The property, rich in viticulture history with historic farm buildings, will be enjoyed by island residents and visitors alike. This is a rare opportunity to preserve and conserve a working vineyard as a public park on South Bass Island.

Put-in-Bay Township Park District believes that this will be a transformative project for Put-in-Bay…An educational and fun attraction for families within walking distance of downtown... A place to reconnect with nature and our agricultural heritage… A place for resident and visitor social activities in an extraordinarily beautiful setting.

As the Park District embarks on this capital campaign, there will be different ways to contribute to making this vision become a reality. One way to make a significant contribution is by sponsoring a row of grapes in the vineyard for $5,000, which will be recognized by the installation of a small plaque at the beginning of the row. For donations of $10,000, in addition to sponsoring a row of grapes, you will be able to host a private event within the vineyard. Donations of $25,000 or more will be recognized in a permanent donor recognition display to be constructed either at the Duff Homestead or within the vineyard itself. Donations of any amount are welcomed, and all donors will be recognized in print. 

The Park District is researching grants for the purchase of the property. Donations for the Duff Vineyard purchase will be placed in an escrow account and returned to donors if the Park District cannot complete the purchase.

Together with grants and donations, we can make this purchase a reality!