Support for Sopchoppy’s Depot Park

Editor, The Sun:

Several years ago I suggested to the Hairstreak Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) that we stop at Sopchoppy Depot Park on one of our annual field trips to the Apalachicola National Forest. Everyone was happy to find a native plant and butterfly spot to visit on the way to the forest. We saw many butterflies that day including a Giant Swallowtail and a Juniper Hairstreak stopping to nectar on several of the Juniper trees in the park. A field trip is always a success if we see hairstreak butterflies and Depot Park did not disappoint. The native plants, trees and vines make this very unique garden a valuable habitat not just for butterflies but hummingbirds and other birds, bees, moths, and other living creatures. The Tallahassee NABA chapter members have continued to visit the park with regularity.
I do hope those involved will consider leaving a few of the Coral honeysuckle vines on the fence along the street as it does make for a lovely downtown and beckons folks into the park to take a leisurely stroll to see what new flowers are blooming. Unlike the popular Japanese honeysuckle which is exotic and invasive, the Coral honeysuckle is a native Florida plant. Hummingbirds drink nectar from its flowers. The Spring Azure Butterfly uses it as its host plant for their caterpillars. The vine is a good choice for Depot Park, not only for their beautiful red flowers but also as an excellent larval food plus a good nectar plant for many adult butterflies.
Because of its uniqueness, Depot Park is a special place to have a get together. On March 29th, Virginia Craig’s family held a small Celebration of Life for her at the park. Many of her friends from the butterfly group and also from the Tallahassee and Wakulla County Native Plant Societies attended. The park was the perfect place to gather to celebrate Virginia, a butterfly and native plant enthusiast.
Every visit to Sopchoppy Depot Park is a delight as there are always plants blooming, bees buzzing, and birds chirping. We are so lucky to have this unique jewel of a park in our region.

Claudia Farren
Tallahassee