Park Angel Leads

Debbie Austin

Simonton Park Captain

Each park’s captain will help recruit volunteers and promote the Conservancy’s work in the park. Captains will recruit volunteers for Garden the Park events and maintain volunteer/park connections. They also will act as a liaison with neighborhood groups, churches, schools and businesses to promote Garden in the Park volunteer opportunities.

Austin is retired and came to Charleston from her hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.

• Why did you want to be a Lead Park Angel? I enjoy gardening and all things related.

• Favorite garden, park or horticulture space? My last garden in Louisiana.

• One thing you learned from working with the Conservancy: How committed, knowledgeable and unselfish those involved are.

• Favorite hour of the day and why: When I first wake up, I let the sunlight in all over the house and remind myself that each day is a treasure and to enjoy every moment. I also like the late afternoon when things are winding down and I am sitting on the screened-in back porch enjoying the end of the day relaxing and reflecting on the day and contemplating the coming of night and what the next day might bring.

• Best Charleston park and why: Chapel Street Fountain Park. It is my favorite because it is small and more diverse than most of the other parks and has such wonderful texture, color, variety and simplicity.

• Favorite flower/plant: Hard to answer since I like so many. I like flowers with fragrance and plants with color and texture.

• If you could inscribe something on a park bench what would it say? Cherish and protect the things you love in life so they will be there in the future for others to enjoy, cherish and protect.

• Why should someone become a Park Angel and volunteer for the Conservancy? It is a wonderful way to give back to the community and adds beauty to our everyday surroundings. It is also great therapy, exercise and a relaxing way to spend your time that benefits many others.