DeRivera Park was founded in honor of the original owner of South Bass Island, Joseph DeRivera St. Jurgo. It is just over 5 acres of waterfront property right in the heart of downtown Put-in-Bay. You can take a seat on a gorgeous summer day and watch people move about downtown, or you can turn your attention towards the park, taking a stroll and looking at memorials throughout the park dedicated to the island’s history.
DeRivera Park Highlights
- DeRivera Park is home to a wishing fountain. You can feel good about tossing your change in whether or not your wish comes true, as the Put-in-Bay EMS collects the change as donations.
- It’s also home to a beautiful, public use gazebo. You can rent the gazebo for events such as weddings.
- There are grills available for cookouts, as well as a playground and swings for children to enjoy.
- You can also find a public bathhouse here, as well as lockers where you can put away anything you’ve bought from the downtown Put-in-Bay shops. This gives you an opportunity to catch a bite to eat or maybe a drink or two at one of the many restaurants within walking distance.
A Historical Memorial
One thing that will certainly stand out when you come to DeRivera Park is a memorial erected from cannonballs. This is one of the most fascinating spots in Put-in-Bay. After the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812, officials buried three American officers and three British officers here together, as a symbol of unity. These bodies were later exhumed and moved to Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial when it was built. The cannonballs in DeRivera Park mark the original gravesite.
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