The Charleston Parks Conservancy has announced a fundraising effort to support the revitalization of Allan Park, a beloved neighborhood green space located at 365 Ashley Avenue in downtown Charleston. The initiative will support a comprehensive renovation to expand seating, refresh infrastructure, and enhance the overall experience for local families, children, and park visitors, with plans for completion and a community planting event in 2027.
In 2025, the Conservancy and the City of Charleston identified Allan Park for renovation as the park’s tree canopy and plantings have matured and community use has evolved, highlighting the need for thoughtful updates to support its long-term care.
“Allan Park represents everything we believe parks can be, a place where community happens, where people connect, and where nature enhances everyday life,” said Jason Kronsberg, Executive Director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. “Our mission to cultivate exceptional public gardens and experiences in Charleston’s city parks is at the heart of this project. This is about honoring the park’s history while investing in its future and ensuring it continues to serve this community for generations to come.”
As Allan Park has matured and use of the space has grown, so have the needs of the community it serves. Guided by community feedback, the renovation focuses on improving how the park functions, with updates to the central fountain, new plantings designed to add seasonal interest, redesigned pathways for better flow and visibility, upgraded lighting and irrigation, and a low fence along Ashley Avenue to enhance safety and support everyday use. In collaboration with landscape architect Cindy Cline of Wertimer + Cline, the updated design builds on what people value most about Allan Park while preparing it to serve the community for years to come.
Allan Park’s story is rooted in community generosity. Originally gifted by the Allan family more than a century ago, the park has evolved through the dedication of neighbors, volunteers, and supporters. The Charleston Parks Conservancy has cared for the park since 2012, guiding its continued growth. From the addition of the fountain in 2000 to large-scale volunteer plantings in the years that followed, the park stands as a lasting example of community care.
The Conservancy is inviting the community to play a direct role in bringing this vision to life. In addition to the initial $318,000 investment, funding will support ongoing care to ensure the park’s long-term success. Donations of all sizes are encouraged, with a limited number of naming opportunities available for contributions of $10,000 or more.
For more information and to support the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Allan Park revitalization efforts, visit: charlestonparksconservancy.