Monarch butterflies are some of the most incredible, unique creatures on the planet. Traveling up to 3,000 miles each year on their migration to Mexico, their delicate strength should not be taken for granted. However, an increase in pesticides and deforestation has resulted in habitat loss for the species, leading to a significant decline in their population. In hopes of reversing these effects, Scituate’s new Thoreau’s Waye, an outdoor sanctuary on the grounds of the town library, serves as a resting place for monarch butterflies on their journey, but that is only one of its many attributes.
The idea for the space originated from Michael Goulding, a young man who greatly appreciated nature in its many forms. When construction for the Scituate Town Library renovation began, Michael was very concerned about the number of trees being cut down, telling his father, Richard Goulding, that they “had to do something.” While Michael had a specific admiration for nature, he also cherished libraries for their role in bringing communities together. With these two passions, Michael’s goal was to find a way to combine the two, allowing for a space where community members could connect through nature.
Following the tragic loss of Michael due to an automobile accident in 2016 when he was 23 years old, his family wanted to carry on his legacy by honoring his hopes and passion for nature.
The Goulding Family first met with the Library Foundation in the spring of 2017, working closely with the Foundation and the Library Director, Jessi Finnie. When first envisioning the project, the family had nothing specific in mind. However, this quickly changed with the introduction of Eric Kluz, a retired architect who heard about the project from a longtime friend, Les Ball. As a member of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Ball reached out to Kluz, who met with the family and brought their idea to life.
After constructing a design for the project, Kluz contacted William Baird, a friend who is the President of Web Engineering in Scituate. The team worked together to craft Kluz’s sketches into a more detailed drawing for the outside space while considering the surrounding trees, uneven landscape, and possible complications with electrical lines. These drawings included the underground irrigation system under the space, supplying rainwater to keep the plantings alive.
A majority of the funding for the project came in the form of a $100,000 grant from the Community Preservation Committee. Ginny Ayers, President of the Scituate Library Foundation, gave the initial proposal to the committee, suggesting they contribute. The grant was submitted and received approximately three years ago, contributing the necessary funds for the hardscape portion of the project. The beautiful garden surrounding the patio was made possible through donations from the Goulding Family and friends and efforts from Northern Oak Landscape, a company Michael had worked for during the summer.
The name “Thoreau’s Waye” sprouted from Michael’s love for naturalist Henry David Thoreau and his historic letters. His father recalled a specific line from one of Thoreau’s letters that stuck with Michael: “It’s not what you’re looking at that matters; it’s what you see.”
The final product has exceeded all expectations, resulting in a beautiful, peaceful space with endless possibilities, including an underground irrigation system that allows children to be taught about sustainability. Various outdoor activities have been held on the patio space, including children’s book readings and musical events. The space also serves as a pollinator garden, attracting bees, butterflies, and insects. In the future, Richard Goulding hopes to hold an annual Butterfly Festival, celebrating the arrival of monarch butterflies each year. Another unique aspect of the space is that all the plants are native to the area. Aside from the flexibility and potential of Thoreau’s Waye, its original purpose of honoring Michael Goulding through nature is the greatest attribute of the space.
Richard Goulding believes his family’s goal was achieved, stating, “Michael would’ve been here in a heartbeat.” He recalled a specific football practice of Michael’s when a butterfly flew past his young son, instantly drawing his attention. The butterfly led Michael to forget about the game and chase the butterfly across the field instead. Goulding said he will never forget this memory, as it is an example of how his son “found glory in the natural environment.”
Michael’s legacy lives on through Thoreau’s Waye, representing his caring, compassionate, and proactive personality. Richard Goulding believes that “everything [he wants] people to know about Michael, they’ll know if they spend ten minutes sitting in that area.” He hopes that people will think of his son when a monarch butterfly stops by on its journey to and from Mexico.
As for the future of the space, the Goulding Family plans to add plants to the garden, along with other contributions, to make Thoreau’s Waye more accessible. They hope to create a pathway surrounding the library, connecting the Central Park and Lawson Green senior apartments to the memorial. To gain further interest from younger groups, they plan to carve a stone into the shape of a dragon that will be placed in the garden.
Although time and funding represented challenges in creating Thoreau’s Waye, Richard Goulding emphasized that he does not remember the obstacles. Instead, he remembers everyone who helped and greatly appreciates the community’s time, talent, and donations throughout the process. Kluz mentioned that the Community Preservation Committee “deserves a lot of credit for recognizing that there is real value here.” He believes Thoreau’s Waye is a “great asset” for the community, and he enjoys seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they take advantage of the space.