Scheeff East Point Preserve

Picture of Scheeff East Point PreserveEast Point Nature Preserve
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
419-285-3037
Scheeff East Point Preserve

Scheeff East Point Preserve – A Lake Erie Islands Conservancy Nature Trail

The 8.8-acre parcel of land known as the Scheeff East Point Preserve is part of the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy. The property is located on the easternmost point of Put-in-Bay.  The easiest way to access this park is with a Put-In-Bay Golf Cart Rental.

Scheeff East Point Preserve Particulars

One of just a handful of remaining natural Lake Erie Habitats on the islands, the Scheeff East Point Preserve offers incredible views of Lake Erie and several of the surrounding islands. Visitors will see Ballast & Middle Bass Islands from a different viewpoint.

Middle Bass and Ballast Islands. The upland coverage, shallow water, and rocky shoreline provide the natural habitat for the endangered Lake Erie Watersnake, waterfowl, and migratory birds. Numerous species of shoreline plants and fauna also can be found thriving here. The park is named after Rose Scheeff, who provided a generous donation to the conservancy. Scheeff East Point Preserve features a walking path around the park’s perimeter.

Golf Cart Parking is also available at the entrance to Scheeff East Point Preserve; however, no vehicles are permitted inside the preserve. Fishing along the shoreline, birdwatching, and kayak access are a few fun activities many enjoy here. Put-in-Bay Township Park District owns the Scheeff East Point Preserve after the Western Reserve Land Conservancy purchased it with help from the Lake Erie Islands Conversancy.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 6 Grant helps to protect the habitat explicitly for the local water snake. Additional funds and donations come from the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, The Ohio Division of Wildlife, the Sandusky Eagles Foundation, the First Energy Foundation as well as several other private donors like Mrs. Rose Scheeff.

Lake Erie Watersnakes At Scheeff East Point Preserve

The snakes were removed from the list of endangered species in 2011. The Lake Erie watersnake is now categorized as federally threatened. The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy is committed to preserving this extraordinary animal. Locating a watersnake can be both thrilling and a little bit of a scare when they dart out! It is suggested just to leave the snakes alone. While it is not poisonous, it is a curious creature and can become aggressive when disturbed.

Their appearance is a uniform gray in a pattern, and they can grow up to 1 ½ to 3 ½ feet in length. They love the cliffs, rocky shorelines, and ledges of the islands. During the winter months, they hibernate underground. With the invasion of round goby in Lake Erie, their diet is almost entirely made up of goby. Gobies threatened other native fish in the Great Lakes, and the watersnake plays an essential role in helping control this pesky creature.

Degradation and loss of their habitat have contributed to their demise. They are simply being killed by humans as their habitat is disturbed. Through local community involvement, extensive research, and a recovery plan, the Lake Erie Islands see a resurgence in the watersnake population.

Other Lake Erie Islands Conservancy Properties

Aside from Scheeff East Point Preserve, the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy protects and maintains several additional parcels of land throughout Middle bass and South Bass Island. These include:

Jane Coates Wildflower Trail
Dodge Woods Preserve
• Petersen’s Woods
Massie Cliffside Preserve
• The Ladd Carr Wildlife Woods

Their efforts are essential to the survival of the island’s natural areas. As Put-in-Bay becomes more popular with tourists, preserving the natural wonders of Soth Bass Island island is more important than ever. The island is unique in its ecology, and  the natural beauty is one of the reasons so many people fall in love with Put-in-Bay Ohio