By Zach Patberg
The small garden, whose primary flower was the tall purple-bulbed butterfly bush, was funded from the discretionary purses of City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) and state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Bayside) and steered into production by the non-profit organization Friends of Cunningham Park. The councilman gave $2,000, while his brother came up with $5,000.”I have childhood memories of this park,” David Weprin reminisced after the ceremony. “I remember as a kid capturing butterflies here and putting them in jars, then letting them go, of course.”To aid with the garden's survival, the councilman also donated $5,000 for an underground irrigation system.Marc Haken, president of the Friends of Cunningham Park, said there was a lot of planning involved after the conception stage. “We brought down butterfly people to find the best spot for the garden,” he said. The ideal location, according to Haken, required exposure to the sun most of the day, proximity to woods and flat stones in order to attract the butterflies. Proving the design's effectiveness, dozens of the winged insects hovered over the plot and perched on the plants as people lingered after the induction. Along with the garden, several other projects within the 358-acre park were underway. A $38,500 grant from the JM Kaplan Fund was earmarked for maintaining trails. Some John Deere landscaping equipment would be purchased with $10,000 from David Weprin. And there was $2 million from the 2003 capital budget en route to revamp a dismal display of park restrooms. Kiosks with maps, notices and pamphlets would soon be up to tell people where they were and what to see next.The list goes on. As Haken said at one point following the dedication ceremony, “There's so much going on, it's hard for me to keep track of it all.”Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
