News

Butterflies house takes flight

Posted May 28, 2008 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Kelsie Hoffman, 4, Violet McCann, 3, both of Batavia, Mefan Boskey, 4, of Geneva, and Julianna Hastings, 4 of St. Charles anxiously wait for their chance to release butterflies at Peck Farm Park in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

The Geneva Park District Butterfly House has opened for a new season.

About 300 butterflies are in the house. At the moment, there are eight varieties, and more are expected as the season goes along, said Becky Lambert, superintendent of natural areas and interpretation for the park district.

The varieties are Zebra Longwing, Painted Ladies, Buckeyes, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Pipefind Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Orange Barred Sulfur and Julia.

Open through Sept. 14, the Butterfly House is at Peck Farm Park, 38W199 Kaneville Road, Geneva, west of Randall Road on the corner of Kaneville and Peck Road

It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The district accepts donations from visitors. The suggested donation is $2 per person, with a maximum of $5 per family group. All proceeds go toward the operation of the Butterfly House.

New this season, the district upgraded a limestone path to a stamped concrete pad, improving accessibility, Lambert said. Also, a new seating area was added.

The Butterfly House is open to all and a volunteer is on hand to greet visitors.

David Manning, 4, tries to warm up a butterfly as sister Sally, 3, peers into a flower bed one she released during a release party last Friday at Peck Farm Park in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Mudgie Hermann, 5, sports wings from her dance recital while releasing a Painted Lady butterfly. She needed a little help coaxing the butterfly from its holder. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Alyssa Dillenberg, 3, of Geneva, says goodbye to a butterfly she released last Friday, opening day at the Peck Farm Park Butterfly House. The house features a changing lineup of butterfly types and is open until September. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

A Zebra butterfly clings to a bloom after its release at the Butterfly House last Friday at Peck Farm Park in Geneva. Around 300 butterflies are currently fluttering around the house. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Article Comments

Article Categories
Batavia Communities Counties Geneva Kane County Local Neighbor News St. Charles

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.