Alliance Parks dedicates butterfly garden at Silver Park
This time of year, Silver Park is aflutter with plenty of butterflies. But one stands out above the rest.
That's because it's 9 feet tall.
The blue metal butterfly is the center piece of the park’s new Butterfly Garden that was dedicated Thursday.
"The idea for the garden came about after we had the giant carnation painted on the Sound Stage in Silver Park," said Kim Cox, Alliance City Parks director. "It was designed to be a ‘selfie station,’ and it was met with so much positivity we decided we want to do more places for photo opportunities. We thought people would really love a big butterfly in the park.”
The committee sought out metal artists in Stark County and beyond, but had no luck. Then one day, while Park Commissioner Jennifer Mastroianni was driving along Union Avenue, she noticed a sign for C. Miller Customs, located less than a half-mile from Silver Park. She pulled over and knocked on the door.
"I figured it was a car metal shop, but thought, who knows, maybe this guy can direct us to someone who could fabricate an art project like this," Mastroianni said.
It was the right door at the right time. Charlie and Caitlynn Miller do all sorts of fabrication – and not just for cars. The business creates anything with metal, such as signs and machinery parts. The 34-year-old Miller also created eye-catching signage at the Coastal Pet-Burnell Dog Park.
Miller designed the butterfly, and fabricated pieces to give it a three- dimensional effect. When it was erected in July in the newly planted garden, he was thrilled with the finished project.
"Caitlynn and I stopped by and were really happy how it all turned out, especially how the sun hits the colored powder coating and makes it sparkle," Miller said.
The butterfly is 9 feet by 8 feet, weighs 500 pounds and took about 40 hours of metal fabricating. "It was exciting to take the concept and turn it into reality," he said.
The garden was dedicated Thursday, and is part of Alliance City Parks' 100th anniversary this year.
"We also are grateful for the financial support of the Friends of the Parks, Town & Country Gardeners, and the Wanda Bahler family, who helped make this happen," Cox said.
Wanda Bahler was an Alliance resident who was dedicated to the outdoors, gardening and spending time in the Alliance Parks. She died in July, 2022 and her family contributed to the project in her honor.
“We were always here,” said Sandy Orth, Bahler’s daughter. “It was a big part of our lives and she loved gardening and loved this park.”
Landscaper Allen Watson designed the garden and shaped the flower beds to look like butterfly wings. "It seemed the perfect way to go," he said. "The beds are like a reflection of the wings.”
Naturally, Watson added plenty of pollinator-friendly plants to attract butterflies and bees.
"The butterfly bushes we planted really do a great job drawing so many butterflies," he said. "Every time I go water the beds, I'm amazed at how many have made the garden a favorite spot to feed."
As part of the ribbon cutting, five live butterflies were released. They were donated from Beech Creek Botanical Garden's butterfly house. In attendance were Alliance Mayor Andy Grove and his wife, Sue, Alliance Chamber of Commerce President Rick Baxter, members of Wanda Bahler’s family, members of the Town & Country Gardeners Club, landscaper Allen Watson, park Commissioner Jennifer Mastroianni, and the Miller Family.
“Like a caterpillar’s magnificent metamorphosis into a butterfly, our park system over the century has transformed from just Silver Park to 300 acres across the city with seven major parks and countless attractions for the public to enjoy,” said Mastroianni during the event.
The Butterfly Garden is located between the Robertson Family Lodge and the 9-11 Memorial, and is available to visit during park hours.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Alliance Parks dedicates butterfly garden at Silver Park
