Welcome to the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s newsletter! Explore park updates, stories from fellow parkgoers, and more as we connect the community with the beauty and vitality of our cherished parks.

Taking Care of Our Parks and Gardens

As fall settles in, our parks are alive with the beauty of seasonal blooms and vibrant foliage. Sweetgrass sways gracefully, Firespike and Turk’s Cap attract hummingbirds with their bold red flowers, and the brilliant colors of Japanese Maples and Bald Cypress light up the landscape. Beautyberry and Yaupon Holly provide vital food for wildlife and add a splash of color as temperatures drop.

While you may notice some areas looking a bit less manicured, it’s all part of our thoughtful approach to fall care. We leave many plants standing to support wildlife and let fallen leaves act as natural mulch, fostering a healthy ecosystem through winter. This approach supports healthy, resilient landscapes and wildlife communities that will flourish in the spring, making the parks more vibrant for everyone to enjoy.

Behind the scenes, our staff is hard at work in our new hoop house cultivating and protecting thousands of young plants through the colder months. The addition of the hoop house allows us save costs and ensures a vibrant, robust display come spring.

Your support keeps our parks thriving year-round. Here’s what your donation helped us achieve over the past year:

• Year-Round Park Care: Ongoing seasonal maintenance, from strategic planting and ecologically responsible practices to thoughtful upkeep, ensures our parks stay vibrant every season.
• Community Impact Projects: Recent revitalizations include the pollinator garden at Corrine Jones Park, shade garden restorations at Wragg Square and Vangie Rainsford Park, horticultural stormwater mitigation at Tiedemann Park, and the new revitalization project at Colonial Lake, which started in September 2024. We also tripled the growing space for our cut flower program, bringing fresh blooms to the community and promoting sustainable gardening practices.
• Enhanced Green Spaces: This year alone, we planted 46,000 new plants and 1,000 trees, providing shade, beauty, and new habitats for wildlife.
• Connecting People and Parks: We donated 3,800 servings of fresh produce grown in our parks, hosted the largest Teddy Bear Picnic, and offered 180 hours of free programs, creating lasting memories for the community.

Your gift today will help us continue this important work. Donate now to help your parks bloom into 2025 and beyond. Together, we’re cultivating a greener, healthier and more beautiful Charleston. 

Upcoming Community Event: Light the Lake

Kick off the holiday season with us at Light the Lake on December 6th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Colonial Lake! With support from the City of Charleston, this magical evening is a gift to the community, offering something special for all ages.

What to Expect:

• Stroll along pathways illuminated by hundreds of luminaries, casting a festive glow around the lake.
• Enjoy kid-friendly activities, holiday craft stations, and delicious bites from local food trucks.
• Join us at 6 p.m. for the highlight of the night—Mayor William Cogswell will light the holiday tree, bringing even more sparkle to the heart of Colonial Lake.

This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required but is recommended to help us plan for an unforgettable evening.

Party for the Parks Success 

Thanks to incredible community support, this year’s Party for the Parks was our most successful yet. Held at Colonial Lake under the theme “Palm Royale: 60s Glamour Meets Charleston Charm”, this year’s event brought together a record crowd, blending vintage fun with a commitment to supporting 26 public parks across Charleston.

The funds raised will go directly toward park enhancements, sustainable maintenance practices, and expanding free community programs like Charleston Trees, Cut Flower Donation Program, and more. We’re grateful to our sponsors, guests, volunteers, and everyone who made this celebration unforgettable. 

Save the Date for Shucked + Sauced

Mark your calendars for a spectacular afternoon at “Shucked + Sauced,” the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s highly anticipated fundraiser, returning on February 2, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. at the Rose Pavilion in Hampton Park. Tickets will be all-inclusive at $175 each, featuring an impressive lineup of seafood and drink offerings from some of Charleston’s favorite establishments. Expect an immersive oyster roast, top-notch barbecue, and live music—all curated to create an unforgettable Lowcountry experience.

Proceeds from the event will directly support the enhancement and sustainability of Charleston’s parks. With last year’s event selling out quickly, you won’t want to miss it—tickets go on sale December 6th.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available! Join us as a sponsor and enhance your brand while making a meaningful impact on our community’s cherished green spaces. Contact Emily Topham to learn more.

Conservancy Wins National Award for Community Programming

The Charleston Parks Conservancy has been recognized with the 2024 Lehman Award for Park Foundation Excellence by the National Association of Park Foundations. The award honors the Conservancy’s 14th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic, which achieved a 60% waste diversion rate, meaning most of the event’s waste was recycled, composted, or reused instead of going to a landfill. The “Where the Wild Things Are” themed event featured live music, crafts, games, and activities with over 20 community partners, highlighting the Conservancy’s commitment to community engagement and environmental responsibility.

Save the Date: Details for the 2025 Teddy Bear Picnic on Sunday, March 2nd will be announced soon—stay tuned for an exciting theme and new activities for the whole family!

Join us for Upcoming Events

Closes November 14

Online Plant Sale – Pickup on Friday, November 15th | Priced per plant

Monday, November 18

Walk in the Park – West Ashley Greenway | free

Thursday, November 21

Herbal Walk in the Park | $10

Thursday, November 21
Fall Community Potluck and Food Drive | free – bring a dish to share and canned good to donate

Monday, November 25
Walk in the Park – West Ashley Greenway | free

Friday, December 6

Light the Lake at Colonial Lake | free 

Friday, December 6

Save the Date for Shucked + Sauced Tickets on Sale | $175

ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY

Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing 90% of the funds essential for the operation and programming of Charleston’s parks, acting on behalf of the city. While our partners at the City contribute 10% of the Conservancy’s required budget, donations from supporters and attendees of our paid programs enable us to continue our high standard of care to keep the park clean, green, and thriving.

The core mission of Charleston Parks Conservancy revolves around safeguarding, nurturing, and enhancing the various parks under its purview, cultivating an atmosphere conducive to connecting people with their parks. As diligent stewards, the Conservancy is committed to actively involving the community through cared-for gardens, welcoming amenities, and top-notch programming. The organization believes that within an urban landscape, every individual deserves access to a park that facilitates recreation, provides moments of respite, and stewards community relationships. Read More.

When parks thrive, people thrive. Donate today to make an impact in our community.

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Our Contact Information
Charleston Parks Conservancy
720 Magnolia Road, Suite 25
Charleston, SC 29407
843-724-5003
http://www.charlestonparksconservancy.org