Butterfly Gardens in Denton Parks are Growing
Last winter, staff distributed over an acre of butterfly seed mix on the south side of North Lakes Park. This was just before construction began on the North Lakes Dog Park. The seed and flowers have quickly flourished and will be an added amenity for the dog park and an extension of the existing wildflower trail. Also, the park system has a butterfly bed in the sign bed at the Civic Center Pool and a native Texas perennial bed at McKenna Park. Although the one at McKenna Park was not installed to be specifically a butterfly bed, it does contain many of the same plant material minus the milkweed.
In the past, Keep Denton Beautiful (KDB) has planted milkweed along the undeveloped tree lines at South Lakes Park and North Lakes Park. Denia Rec Center has a natural garden planted and maintained by KDB and volunteers that’s located at the corner of Parvin Street and the facility driveway.
These butterfly gardens add to the beauty of the parks as well as reduce the need to mow the areas regularly. We’re still exploring other areas within our park system to introduce the wildflower and butterfly seed.If you have any ideas to share, please email parksnrec@cityofdenton.com.