City of Charleston proclaims March 25 as Charleston Parks Conservancy Day

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg has declared March 25, 2017, as Charleston Parks Conservancy Day in honor of the nonprofit’s 10th anniversary. Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings is expected to publicly present the proclamation at the Conservancy’s 10th Birthday Bash on Saturday, March 25 at Colonial Lake. The proclamation will be read at 11:30 a.m.

Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Darla Moore, the Conservancy is celebrating a decade of connecting people to their parks and creating stunning public spaces and strong communities throughout the City of Charleston. The organization is a public-private partnership, working closely with the city’s Parks Department as well as community leaders, neighborhoods and engaged citizens to beautify and transform many of the city’s parks and green spaces. Known as Park Angels these donors, volunteers and advocates support the Conservancy’s work and mission.

The proclamation notes, how the Conservancy has worked with the city to “increase the quality, awareness, appreciation, and usage of city green spaces and parks and, in partnership with the city, neighborhoods, citizens and its network of Park Angels, has made improvements to 25 city-owned parks and green spaces.”

“Citizenship is made more valuable by well-designed public spaces that are well-maintained, and communities are stronger and more resilient when citizens are engaged with each other in improving our public realm,” Moore said. “Because of the involvement of so many people in this movement to inspire Charlestonians to engage and connect with their parks, our city’s parks have never been better.”

In the last decade, the Conservancy contributed to renovations at Allan Park, Tiedemann Park, McMahon Playground at Hampton Park, Corrine Jones Park, Marion Square and more. One of its largest projects to date was the $5.9 million renovation to Colonial Lake, which re-opened to the public last spring. The Conservancy also started three community gardens where people are learning how to grow their own vegetables and volunteers are harvesting fresh produce for donation to local food pantries.

Expect to see even more from the Conservancy in the coming years. The organization will continue to work in the parks it is currently maintaining while also embarking on several new park projects, including St. Julian Devine Community Center, Moultrie Playground, Wragg Square and the West Ashley Greenway and Bikeway. Plus, the Conservancy is expanding its programming with more community events and a new art in the parks program.

Celebrate 10 years of connecting people to their parks at a community birthday bash from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Colonial Lake. There will be music, food trucks and activities for children. Plus, the Charleston Model Yacht Club will be racing sailboats in the lake. Take a tour around Colonial Lake that reflects on the Conservancy’s last 10 years. Enter the Bark Angel costume contest with prizes for the best-dressed dog and puppy and the best dog/owner costume.

About the Charleston Parks Conservancy

The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and together create stunning public places and a strong community. The Conservancy opens doors to individuals and organizations in Charleston wanting to engage with their parks and green spaces in a kaleidoscope of positive ways. With the help of its Park Angels, the Conservancy improves, enhances, and invigorates these spaces, making Charleston even better, stronger, and more successful. For more information about or to support the Charleston Parks Conservancy, please visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.