We recently read a newspaper article about the East Brunswick Butterfly Park, and we subsequently visited the park as well.
We were impressed by the trail and the beautiful rocks for the butterflies. We instantly knew why it received an award from the Environmental Commission. When we also noticed that some people were smoking, we were very disappointed and realized how much harm this could do to the butterflies.
The park was created to attract butterflies and encourage a healthy habitat. We had difficulty understanding how so much effort was put into the park, but no thought was given to the fact that cigarette smoke could destroy the plants and butterflies.
This park was created as a place to attract butterflies, not scare them away. We want people to enjoy nature and this park in their purest form. Middlesex County REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies), which is New Jersey’s youth anti-tobacco movement, would like to help East Brunswick make the Butterfly Park smoke-free.
We feel that the park is so unique to our area that it should be smoke-free. We are hoping that the Butterfly Park will join the list of other smoke-free parks in Middlesex County, such as Oakland Park and Myrtle Park in Metuchen, and Allie Clark field complex in South Amboy.
If you would like to help us "spare the air," please contact our youth coordinator, Mara Goldstein, at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, (732) 254-3344.
Diane Lagowski
Age 16
North Brunswick
Desiree Fusella
Age 14
Milltown