graham yelton
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is pleased to announce the latest updates on the Colonial Lake revitalization, an ambitious project launched in August 2024 to reimagine three acres of gardens as a resilient, environmentally adaptive landscape. The Conservancy has named Molly Hendry (pictured), a Birmingham-based horticulturist and garden designer with international acclaim, as the lead designer for the next phase of the Colonial Lake revitalization project. Known for her expertise in Southern native plants and sustainable design, Hendry’s appointment marks a new initiative by the Conservancy to bring world-class innovation to Charleston’s beloved public parks and green spaces.
“With Molly Hendry leading the garden design, we’re excited to revitalize Colonial Lake under her guidance,” said Darlene Heater, Executive Director and CEO of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. “Her expertise in Southern native plants and sustainable garden design is a great match for this revitalization. We’re committed to creating a space as resilient as it is beautiful, and Molly’s vision and knowledge will help us achieve that.”
Hendry’s credentials extend beyond her design work; she has lectured extensively for prestigious institutions and conferences such as the Garden Club of America, Royal Horticultural Society, Southeastern Native Plant Conference, Southern Garden History Symposium, Charleston Horticultural Society, Perennial Plant Association’s National Symposium, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Garden Masterclass (UK), Auburn University Department of Landscape Architecture, and the American Public Garden Association’s Design and Planning Symposium. Her leadership roles underscore her standing as a leader in sustainable garden design. Hendry served as the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG), Garden Assessment Project Leader and Associate Director of Gardens Support. Hendry helped lead the Master Plan Refresh as well as guide developments in the 26 different gardens that make up BBG.
Hendry, who holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Auburn University and has worked on internationally renowned gardens, expressed enthusiasm for the project.
"Charleston's Colonial Lake Park is a treasure for the community. I deeply believe that successful public spaces not only face environmental challenges head-on but also serve as a dynamic and beautiful place that inspires those who enter it day in and day out," said Hendry.
Colonial Lake has long been a cornerstone of Charleston’s public parks, and the ongoing revitalization efforts will maintain its legacy as a vibrant community space. The project focuses on replacing overgrown and vulnerable plant materials with resilient, climate-adapted species designed to thrive in Charleston’s challenging environment, enhance biodiversity, and provide year-round beauty.
The Colonial Lake Revitalization work began in the fall of 2024 with site clearing and a successful community, “Dig and Divide Day,” where over 100 residents gathered to collect plants being removed to incorporate into their home landscapes. In 2025, the revitalization will see site clearing and mitigation of invasive and inappropriate plantings and soil revitalization in the first months of the year, with major installations planned for the spring. Thanks to overwhelming community support and the success of the Colonial Lake fundraising campaign, the Conservancy has accelerated the timeline, with completion now anticipated by the end of 2025—a full year ahead of the original schedule. For more information about the Colonial Lake Revitalization, visit charlestonparksconservancy.
