Join Centred Outdoors on July 24, 27 and 28 to tour the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden at Tom Tudek Memorial Park, the most frequently visited park in the Centre Region.
The land where the park is today at 400 Herman Drive was a proposed site for a shopping mall in the 1970s.
A group of community members organized to prevent the mall’s construction out of concern for potential impacts to the watershed. Barbara Fisher and Jim McClure led the effort, and in 1980 they went on to co-found Clear-Water Conservancy with a mission to work alongside the community to proactively conserve and restore the region’s natural resources.
In 1990, the Tudek family generously donated much of the undeveloped land that would become Tom Tudek Memorial Park, named in memory of the family’s son, who passed away at the age of 17.
Today the 91-acre area includes a community garden, 1.3-mile walking and running loop, dog park, small horse farm, playground and pavilions, 61 acres of passive land, and the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden.
The site for the butterfly garden was developed under the direction of Robert “Butterfly Bob” Snetsinger and his wife, Wendy, who created the garden as a tribute to their daughter Clare, who also sadly also passed away at the age of 17.
Tom and Clare were friends, and both shared a love of butterflies.
In 2007, the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Centre County became involved in developing and maintaining the garden as a major educational resource for the community.
Today the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden Habitat is an educational site of approximately 3 acres located in the northwest portion of the park.
The diverse ecosystem is home to over 40 species of resident butterflies, many native bees and birds, and hundreds of native plants that provide food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife.
The public can join an expert-led tour of the garden at 1 and 3 p.m on Sunday, July 24.; at 6 p.m on Wednesday, July 27; and at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 28.
In addition to enjoying the beauty of the plantings, tour participants will also learn the “why” behind the “how” of gardening for pollinators. The tours will be led by Snetsinger Butterfly Garden Master Gardeners, who will share stories of pollinators and their interactions with native plants.
All Centred Outdoors guided events are free and open to the public. For complete details about this adventure as well as the full 2022 schedule, visit www.centredoutdoors.org.
Where to meet:
• Tom Tudek Memorial Park, 400 Herman Drive, State College
What to bring/wear:
• Water bottle;
• Sun protection including a hat and sunscreen;
• For tick and insect protection, consider bug spray, socks and long pants;
• Visit www.centredoutdoors.org for safety tips
