Orchard Beach

Orchard Beach Association Annual Meeting and Picnic Information--

Members will receive a written notice regarding the annual meeting for 2019, including information on the 2019 picnic. Please see Owen McBride if you wish to help with planning the 2019 picnic!

View Lake Erie Boat Traffic

Want to know if there is a freighter, tug, or Jet Express nearby? Or anywhere on Lake Erie?

Go to

http://ais.boatnerd.com

Orchard Beach Association Important Guidelines:

1. The Orchard Beach Association operates its own waste treatment facility. The system cannot handle items such as diapers and feminine hygiene products. Please DO NOT flush these items into your toilet as the system cannot handle it and will result in increased repair and maintenance costs.

2. If you have a pet, they must be under your control at all times, especially when you are on the beach. Pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of.

3. Children under the age of 16 are not to operate golf carts on Orchard Beach Property.

4. The speed limit on Orchard Beach roads is 10 miles per hour.

5. Bonfires on the beach are permitted. However, please be considerate of neighbors. Assure that any smoke is not blowing towards homes.

6. Campers, tents, etc. are not permitted on Orchard Beach common properties.

7. Enjoy the beach but keep it clean. Dispose of your trash after using it. Leave the beach as you found it. Renters are not entitled to use items on the beach unless owned and provided by the renting member.

8. Be respectful of your neighbors. Keep noise to a minimum at night.

9. Parking on Center Road and Overlook Road is prohibited.

10. Effective as of the June 2016 Annual Meeting, the discharge of firearms (except for purposes of self defense) by any member or guest is strictly prohibited. The detailed language of this provision was circulated by mail to all members prior to the Annual Meeting, was approved , and is now included in the amended Rules of the Association.

Please note-- it is now required for members who wish to rent their homes in some circumstances to register prior to renting. See the latest Rules and Regulations for more details on renting requirements.

Orchard Beach Association Rules and Regulations

Need the most current version? Please see or contact Reenie Rak.

Orchard Beach Water Quality Monitoring

The Erie County Health Department is responsible for monitoring Lake Erie beach water quality in our area on behalf of the Ohio Department of Health.

Beach water testing for E. coli bacteria is performed 4 times a week Monday through Thursday during summer season at various beaches in Erie and Lorain counties, with results for Orchard Beach posted on a sign at the bottom of the main stairway to the beach on Parkway.

Monitoring is also performed for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS) with appropriate warning signs if needed.

A brief description of this program with an explanation of the signs can be found at

http://eriecohealthohio.org/bathingbeach.html

2018 data for 25 beaches can be found below .

http://eriecohealthohio.org/environmentalhealth.html

Note that if you are interested in the OBA situation, refer to the readings for Beach 20 (Darby Creek).

Typically, readings will be worse for several days after a storm due to overflows from local sewage treatment systems.

Lately, the posted water quality for Orchard Beach has been 'Good' thus far this summer.

More History

The first picture shows Lake Shore Electric Railway Car #168 stopping at the interurban station in Vermilion, Ohio in 1936.

Lore holds that the second picture depicts a pen used to house bears. Today you can see it via a reasonable kayak ride West of OBA. When you pass Volunteer Bay, look for a creek inlet and kayak south a short distance. It will be on your left heading south....

Identify it if you can!