South Barrington community opens butterfly garden
The Regency at The Woods of South Barrington recently hosted the grand opening of its new patio and certified butterfly garden. About 30 residents gathered to celebrate the new amenity and enjoy a barbecue together.
The butterfly garden is a community project that brought together homeowners who were passionate about the garden;, Lieberman Management Services, who manages the community; and Sebert Landscaping Company, which donated all the plants and flowers for the project.
"The project began when the Regency Landscape Committee began discussing how to revitalize declining landscape beds," said Jason Mitchell, Lieberman Management Services property manager. "They wanted to create a unique, interactive area, and suggested the butterfly garden."
There were no immediate funds for the work until last fall, when a group of homeowners within the community offered to fund the project, and Mitchell contacted Sebert Landscaping to ask for donations.
Butterfly gardens include plants that attract and sustain butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects in an effort to increase populations and provide enjoyment of their diversity.
Not only does the garden itself offer a place for butterflies to rest, feed, and grow, but many homeowners have also purchased butterfly kits to raise caterpillars at home, with grandchildren helping along the way, so they can release them into the garden at maturity.
The butterfly garden is located just off the walking path behind the clubhouse, situated between the pool and the community pond. This natural area and paver patio with benches offers a place to relax and enjoy nature while overlooking the landscape and pond.
Everyone within the community has come to enjoy the beauty, color and overall design of the garden.
Three national organizations have certified the nature area. The National Wildlife Foundation has awarded Wildlife Habitat Certification, the North American Butterfly Association has given its Butterfly Garden Certification, and Monarch Butterfly Watch.org gave its Monarch Waystation Certification.
Attending the grand opening were Jeff Sebert and Shannon Hoban of Sebert Landscaping; Eric Sebert, owner of Bluestem Ecological Services; Diane Bodkin from the South Barrington Conservancy, who was another contributing resource for the committee; and the board and residents of the Regency.
Board members of the Woods Master Association also attended, since one of the two benches is a memorial for Pat Costello, a long-term board member for both associations who passed away two years ago.
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.