Free Flower Pick in Doney Park’s Butterfly Lane Garden
Cindy Wilson’s Butterfly Lane garden in Doney Park, Arizona, evolved from a private hobby into a community garden where residents and visitors can freely pick flowers. The garden, established after Wilson’s retirement, offers weekly pick events, especially after local wildfires and flooding, provid…
By Felo News Desk · Published
For almost twenty years, Cindy Wilson’s house on Butterfly Lane was simply her home. After retiring in 2021, she turned her backyard into a garden, and what began as a personal hobby soon became a neighborhood sanctuary. The garden, now spanning nearly three acres, offers free flower picks to anyone who walks through its winding paths.
From Retirement to a Community Oasis
Wilson, 69, had long dreamed of cultivating her own garden. With her six children grown and her husband deceased, she sought a new purpose. She began by growing seedlings in her garage, learning from florist and gardening tips shared on social media. When a local florist showed interest in buying her produce, Wilson was ready to launch a small business. However, the 2022 wildfires and subsequent flooding that devastated nearby Doney Park and Timberline forced her to rethink her plans. Her home survived, but the surrounding neighborhoods were in need of comfort and hope.
Instead of selling the flowers, Wilson opened her garden to neighbors. The first “you pick” event was an invitation to those who had lost homes or were displaced. The garden became a place where people could take a moment to breathe, gather a bouquet, and carry a piece of beauty home.
How the Garden Works
Wilson’s garden, affectionately called the Garden House on Butterfly Lane, is a blend of cottage‑style beds and open spaces. A beige house with red trim sits at the center, surrounded by a deck, wooden play equipment, and a grassy area where visitors can park. Hand‑painted wooden signs guide visitors to rows of roses, marigolds, sunflowers, and other seasonal blooms.
Each pick event follows a simple protocol: visitors are handed a shears and a wicker basket—many of which were donated by Goodwill. They are instructed to cut low and take no more than fifteen stems. While the flowers are free, many guests leave small donations to help cover the cost of maintaining the garden.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Neighbors like Mary Walton, who has lived next door for fifteen years, have seen the garden transform the area. Walton says the garden’s bell, rung when it’s pick‑time, signals a moment of joy for families and children. The garden has become a gathering place for local families, Northern Arizona University students, and travelers passing through the Grand Canyon state.
Wilson plans to host weekly pick events from late June to early September, with the first pick of the year reserved for neighbors as a tribute to the garden’s origins. As fall approaches, she is preparing for seasonal maintenance: pruning, fertilizing, and laying straw and netting to protect the beds. She has also purchased cool‑season seeds that will be ready for picking next summer.
“Take the time to go outside. I just think that is so important. Put your hands in the dirt, pick a flower, look at the flower,” Wilson says. Her garden is more than a collection of plants; it is a place where people can reconnect with nature, find peace, and share a simple act of kindness.
What’s Next?
Wilson hopes to expand the garden’s reach by partnering with local schools and community groups. She also plans to introduce a small composting program to recycle garden waste. As the garden continues to thrive, it stands as a testament to how one person’s passion can nurture an entire community.
For those looking to experience the garden, the first pick of the year is open to neighbors only, while subsequent events welcome anyone who walks through the gates. The garden remains a free, welcoming space where the beauty of flowers and the warmth of community intersect.
Key facts
- Cindy Wilson turned her retirement hobby into a community garden after 2022 wildfires
- The garden offers free flower picks to residents and visitors
- Weekly pick events run from late June to early September
- Neighbors and students regularly visit, sharing the garden’s joy
- Wilson plans seasonal maintenance and future expansion
- The garden serves as a healing space after local disasters
Why it matters
Cindy Wilson’s Butterfly Lane garden demonstrates how community gardening can provide emotional healing and social connection after natural disasters, turning a personal passion into a public resource.
Frequently asked questions
How can I participate in a pick event?
Visit the garden during the scheduled pick times, bring a basket, and follow the simple guidelines of cutting low and taking no more than fifteen stems. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Are there any costs associated with visiting the garden?
No, the flowers are free. Visitors may leave small donations to help maintain the garden, but participation itself is cost‑free.
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Pick a free bouquet, stay for the community at a flower garden on Butterfly Lane”
