Long Islanders Release 500 Butterflies at Pinelawn Memorial Park

Pictured above: Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum recently hosted over 100 families at its annual Butterfly Release where more than 400 Painted Lady Butterflies were set free in the 500-acre park and arboretum to help pollinate its flowering landscape, and offer a quiet, symbolic remembrance for those who have lost a loved one. Pinelawn’s Kristyn Hovanec, Marketing Manager and Fred Hoffmann, Grounds Supervisor, led the afternoon event by educating Long Islanders about the beauty and importance of butterflies. The many children who attended also had a chance to make beautiful paper butterflies.

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum recently hosted a series of butterfly release events as part of its ongoing community education program. The event was designed to teach attendees about the beauty and importance of butterflies within our environment, and offer a quiet, symbolic remembrance for those who have lost a loved one.

“Butterflies are such an important part of our ecosystem. They help pollinate plants and simply make people happy,” said Fred Hoffmann, Grounds Supervisor, Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum. “We hope all our Pinelawn families enjoyed the butterflies and were able to take a moment to celebrate their loved ones surrounded in the beauty of our grounds.”

More than 100 people gathered at the Memorial Park and Arboretum for the interactive session. Individuals, couples, children, and grandchildren were able to create a butterfly craft and release Painted Lady butterflies among the park’s colorful, peaceful gardens.

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum also brought the event directly to the residents of Sunrise Senior Living. Residents and their families were invited to take part in two sessions, with one specially designed for memory care residents.

These educational events are free of charge and open to the public. Click here to see the full 2021 calendar of events, and to be added to the email list to learn more.