The pollinator garden near the main gazebo at Newmarket’s Fairy Lake Park is officially home to Bereaved Families of York Region’s annual memorial butterfly release event.
In partnership with the longtime local organization that provides bereavement support services to individuals and families grieving the death of a loved one, the Town of Newmarket last week installed a sign declaring the space the Fairy Lake Park Butterfly Garden.
The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing public health restrictions forced the cancellation of the 2020 butterfly release event that takes place every September at the local park.
“The Town of Newmarket is proud to partner with the Bereaved Families of York Region for their annual butterfly release event to help those who have lost a loved one express their sorrow while celebrating and honouring their memory,” public works services acting director Mark Agnoletto said.
“The garden was created last year to beautify the area but also assist the town in its commitment to being a bee city,” Agnoletto added. “This area was a good location for a pollinator garden since there is a butterfly release event every year.”
In past years, participants gathered near the main gazebo to express their sorrow and release hundreds of monarch butterflies in memory of loved ones, enjoy live music and readings, and a barbecue lunch that found proceeds donated back to Bereaved Families of York Region.
The flowers planted at the pollinator garden include various butterfly and bee mix flowers, variegated dogwood tree ‘summer fun’, butterfly bush, shasta daisy, purple coneflower, creeping phlox, Liatris ‘blazing star’, dianthus, and sedum.
In a message on its website, Bereaved Families of York Region acknowledges that the cancellation of its in-person meetings, support groups, volunteer training and community events is difficult for those who are navigating their way through the loss of a loved one.
“The current atmosphere and decreased face-to-face interactions can worsen feelings of loneliness and grief. While these closures are in effect, we will do our very best to offer support remotely,” the statement said.
If you are in need, you can leave a message for organization staff at 905-898-6265 and your call will be returned.
If you are in crisis, call 1-855-310-COPE (2673), the Community Crisis Response Services at York Support Services Network, where you can speak with a crisis worker. You can also send a text to 1-855-310-2673 or chat with a crisis worker online via live chat here.
For more information on Bereaved Families of York Region, visit here.
