Coverage Source: West Of
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By WARREN COBB
Managing Editor
It is going to take a lot of time and a lot of work to get the future Urban Horticultural Center established at its future home at Sycamore Avenue and Magnolia Road, but friends of the Charleston Parks Conservancy (CPC) couldn't wait to give make an indelible mark on the 3.7-acre property.
On the afternoon of Oct. 4, several dozen supporters of the CPC and Mt. Pleasant Land Conservancy, as well as local City and County officials, and members of the surrounding neighborhoods were on hand at the site to plant a few oak trees, which they hope will one day reach the same heights as the few oak trees already on the site.
The property is currently a vacant, overgrown lot, but will soon become a neighborhood park, including Charleston's first environmentally friendly urban horticultural center. A playground, community vegetable garden and a display garden are also envisioned for the site.
In August, Charleston County Council unanimously approved purchase of the property using half-cent greenbelts funds. The County agreed to spend $425,000 to purchase the property, which was then deeded to the Charleston Parks Conservancy, a local nonprofit dedicated to further beautifying City of Charleston parks and green spaces. This will preserve the property in perpetuity, and provide greenspace to West Ashley's residents for decades to come.
The Mt. Pleasant Land Conservancy (MPLC) headed up the process of passing the purchase through the county's greenbelts system. The MPLC's executive director, John Girault, was instrumental in the process. He says the progression of this project has been quick, but not necessarily unexpected.
"When you find something that people are passionate about, like preserving some natural spaces for future generations, it is easy to generate the sort of interest this project has garnered," Girault says. "What you do not always find are the rapid results that we have been able to successfully achieve so far. Acquiring this property and getting the CPC in place puts the project in a great position to get to the next level."
The CPC is looking into fundraising and grant opportunities in the hopes of building the Urban Horticultural Center, where the CPC will eventually establish its headquarters.
Girault suggested the tree planting last week was a very symbolic gesture. "Watching all the attendees of the ceremony planting these iconic live oaks on the property really captured the spirit of this project," he says. "It was truly the first opportunity for everyone to come together and begin the process of transitioning this property into a vibrant community asset, and the MPLC was humbled and honored to be a part of jump starting the effort."
Adam Webb is a West Ashley resident who first eyed the property as a site for a potential park. He was the individual who first brought the idea of the horticultural center to the attention of the CPC. Webb says the tree planting was significant for a lot of reasons, especially for garnering attention and support.
"I'm hopeful that we'll be able to maintain this momentum into the master planning and through to development," Webb says. "The tree planting ceremony marked a very significant milestone. It was the culmination of a year and a half project that resulted in land preservation along with a new park for neighbors and families to enjoy. I tend to think of the trees as symbolic gesture of what I hope the relationship between with the Mount Pleasant Land Conservancy, the Charleston Park Conservancy, and the Charleston Residents will be one of growth, preservation, and beautification."
For more information about the Urban Horticultural Center, or the Charleston Parks Conservancy, go to www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.
