Hanahan Library is the only library in the county that sits next to a butterfly garden. Through the past three years, and through Keep Hanahan Beautiful volunteer efforts and generous grants, the site has become an idyllic and educational spot. On June 22^nd, the library plans to host two events, including a Free Little Library Ribbon Cutting ceremony and a Cypress Gardens Butterfly program. Families are invited come and attend these events, and are encouraged to take a walk through the beautiful garden.

The Hanahan Butterfly & Pollinator Garden Project started when Berkeley County donated land next to Hanahan Library’s new building in November 2014. A perfect partnership started. Keep Hanahan Beautiful (KHB), a local non-profit that promotes community pride through recycling, preservation, and beautification, took on the project and made it flourish.

Phase 1 of the project meant breaking ground and designing the Butterfly Garden as well as a Rain Garden. In addition, designers built a Rain Harvesting System to recycle water and make better use of the earth’s resources. Volunteers came and gave their time to lay mulch, design flowerbeds, and help wherever help was needed.

In September 2015, KHB received a grant from Lowe’s and assistance from volunteers to beautify the area. Kids received a new area with rubber mulch and picnic tables. Visitors enjoyed a new bench swing and stone pathway.

Since then, volunteers have been maintaining the garden. Recently, local schools got involved with the project too.  The Hanahan Elementary School Council decorated and painted the picnic tables, giving them some artistic flair. An art teacher and her class made beautiful mosaic stone stepping stones.

All these achievements make this garden something worth celebrating and learning from. On June 22^nd at 3 pm, employees from Cypress Gardens will be bringing a butterfly program to the library’s activity room in order to teach kids about the insect’s life cycle.

Just an hour later at 4 pm, Hanahan Library will host their Free Little Library Ribbon Cutting ceremony in memory of Daniel Kennedy, son of a longtime Hanahan library friend and customer, Mrs. Peggy Kennedy. Little Free Library is a national initiative to keep open access to reading for everyone by spreading small book exchange boxes around the country.

The Hanahan Butterfly and Pollinator Garden project is always growing and welcoming assistance. If you’re interested in volunteering, visit Keep Hanahan Beautiful’s website to get involved.