The Snetsinger butterfly garden is located within tom tudek memorial park - 400 herman dr., state college pa 16803
If parking in the main lot off Herman drive, facing the soccer fields - follow the path on your right. The butterfly garden is a short walk (approx. 200ft) from the parking area.
We're Going through metamorphosis
If you happen to pass by the SBG these days you will notice that many changes are taking place. Most open-field sites in Pennsylvania will revert to forest sooner or later, and SBG is no exception. To continue as a butterfly habitat, the area requires active management to keep second-growth tree species and invasive shrubs and perennials from transforming the open meadow into a forest.
In 2016-17 a long-term management plan was created. The SBG’s partners, Ferguson Township, Centre Region Parks and Recreation, and the Tom Tudek Trust, along with the Centre County Master Gardeners, will implement the plan over several years. In spring of 2017 many invasive shrubs and trees were removed from the habitat interior, giving it a markedly more open appearance. Meanwhile, the Centre County Master Gardeners took the opportunity to rethink the Demonstration Gardens, which are sited along the bicycle path that curves along the habitat’s southern edge. The Monarch Waystation, formerly separated from the other gardens, was moved to a spot to join the others. In 2017 a Backyard Bird Habitat Garden was added, along with a Native Shrub Showcase. A "Weird and Wonderful" garden has been under development since 2018 and a "Layered Landscape" is in the planning stages. A mowed strip between the meadow and the demonstration edge will serve double duty - providing an additional vantage point from which to enjoy the gardens while acting as a buffer from the meadow making for easier management.
We're planting the seeds, literally and figuratively, for an improved habitat that will support even more bees, butterflies, and birds!
In 2016-17 a long-term management plan was created. The SBG’s partners, Ferguson Township, Centre Region Parks and Recreation, and the Tom Tudek Trust, along with the Centre County Master Gardeners, will implement the plan over several years. In spring of 2017 many invasive shrubs and trees were removed from the habitat interior, giving it a markedly more open appearance. Meanwhile, the Centre County Master Gardeners took the opportunity to rethink the Demonstration Gardens, which are sited along the bicycle path that curves along the habitat’s southern edge. The Monarch Waystation, formerly separated from the other gardens, was moved to a spot to join the others. In 2017 a Backyard Bird Habitat Garden was added, along with a Native Shrub Showcase. A "Weird and Wonderful" garden has been under development since 2018 and a "Layered Landscape" is in the planning stages. A mowed strip between the meadow and the demonstration edge will serve double duty - providing an additional vantage point from which to enjoy the gardens while acting as a buffer from the meadow making for easier management.
We're planting the seeds, literally and figuratively, for an improved habitat that will support even more bees, butterflies, and birds!