Dodge Woods Preserve is one of the latest conserved pieces of land on South Bass Island. The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy purchased it for conservation in February 2017. It covers just over 3 and a half acres on the corner of Langram Rd. and Thompson Rd. At one time, this land was a vineyard, so the trees standing today are relatively young. You’ll find walnut, cherry, and cedar trees among the many varieties on the preserve. This is also a prime piece of land for birdwatching. The wide variety of trees and flowers can attract a multitude of different types of migratory birds. You can find a great checklist of birds that may be sighted at Dodge Woods Preserve and elsewhere along with the Lake Erie Islands here. Maybe you’ll spot one of the rare ones!
Some of the wildflowers you may find at Dodge Woods Preserve
- Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)- appears in mid-to late-spring and can be white, blue or purple.
- Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)- blooms in autumn with a yellow corolla surrounded by light purple petals.
- Enchanter’s nightshade (Circaea lutetiana)- tiny white flowers blooming in the summer months.
- False Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum)- white flowers blooming in late spring.
Just down the road from Dodge Woods Preserve, you’ll also find Freshwater Remedies, a shop with incredible all-organic skincare products and other natural products that make perfect gifts. You’ll also find the Put-in-Bay Airport, where you can book a helicopter tour of the Bass Islands or even loop around in a biplane! You can also check out some of the other great parks and nature preserves on Put-in-Bay like the South Bass Island State Park or Scheeff East Point Preserve. You’ll never run out of things to do on a Put-in-Bay getaway. We can’t wait to welcome you up to the island for an incredible summer weekend!