The Charleston Parks Conservancy is celebrating 15 years of connecting people to their parks with Picnic in the Parks: A Birthday Celebration on Sunday, May 1st. The party runs from 11 am to 2 pm at the Rose Pavilion in Hampton Park in downtown Charleston.
Parents can enjoy libations, live music, and best brunch fare from Harvest Catering, while kids will be entertained by the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, spider jump bungee trampolines, crafts, face painting, games, treats, and more.
All-inclusive tickets are $150 for adults and $50 for kids (ages 2 and under are free). You can purchase tickets at www.
Since its founding in 2007, the Charleston Parks Conservancy has had a hand in renovating and beautifying more than 20 parks in the City of Charleston. Through public-private partnerships and the Park Angel volunteer program, the Conservancy has greatly impacted the public spaces throughout the city.
The Conservancy's largest project was the complete renovation of Colonial Lake in 2016. The organization also renovated the former concession stand at Hampton Park, turning it into a flowering event space called the Rose Pavilion. Other projects included renovations at Moultrie Playground, St. Julian Devine Community Center & Park, Allan Park, Tiedemann Park, McMahon Playground at Hampton Park, Corrine Jones Park, Marion Square and more. 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.
“What the Charleston Parks Conservancy has accomplished in the last 15 years is impressive,” said Tom McGuire, executive director of the Conservancy. “The community has truly embraced this organization and supported our initiatives to enhance green spaces all around the city. We are truly grateful and look forward to what the next 15 years have in store.”
In addition to park renovation and beautification projects, the Conservancy has organized a number of community events in the parks, including the popular Teddy Bear Picnic, Light the Lake in December, movie nights in the park, and its annual fundraiser, Party for the Parks.
In the coming months, the Conservancy will be supporting diversity and inclusion in horticulture with training and workforce development with a new Horticulture Fellows program. There are additional plans for growing movement in the parks programming, curated art in the parks, music and theater in the parks, and educational programs focused on conservation and sustainability for children and adults.
Learn more about the Charleston Parks Conservancy, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities at www.
