Parks & Green Spaces
Butterfly Park
Located on Palm Drive, this vast green space was donated by Keys Gate’s builders and developers to enhance the high quality of life for all Keys Gate residents. Barbeque pits, benches and picnic tables located under shady trees make this the ideal spot for a gathering with friends and family. Dogs (on leashes) are welcome in the park.
The park is home to a unique space created to attract butterfly and bird habitat. Designed with the input of Linda Evans, Keys Gate resident and Assistant Curator at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the space consists mostly of plants that are native to South Florida, which means they can tolerate the soil and elements that characterize the region. They provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, frogs, lizards, and bugs. The plants and their habitat depend on each other – you can’t have one without the other. This is a wonderful space to teach children about the splendor of nature.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
We all owe a great deal of thanks to Patrick Gleber for replacing damaged plants in our butterfly garden. He had his crew there trimming, replacing plants and remulching the garden. They are also watering to make sure the new plants get established. Even with all the tough weather conditions, it is amazing how plants did survive the really cold weather and the broken sprinklers with no rainfall. Native plants will do this. Go to any wild area and you will see plants flourish with no care at all.
We haven’t talked about nectar plants. They are the plants with pretty flowers that butterflies, bees and a host of other creatures depend on. One of the best plants for your garden is Pentas sp., especially the red ones. They attract not only butterflies but humming birds as well. And they brighten up any garden space. Try adding a few to your garden to liven it up.
And again, Thanks Patrick!!!
Linda M. Evans
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