A Story of Connection and Community
Last September, the Dicker family was just settling into their new home in Charleston when Matt’s beloved mother passed away. Leane, who never had the chance to visit Charleston, deeply valued community, cherished nature, and found joy in tending to her garden. To keep her spirit alive in a place that embodied everything she loved, her family decided to dedicate a park bench in her memory—a place where they could feel her presence and share the beauty of Charleston with her, in their own way.
The family chose to place the bench at Colonial Lake, a park that has quickly become their favorite spot in the city. “Colonial Lake is practically our backyard playground,” shared Matt. “It’s just a block away from our home; we find ourselves there multiple times a week, sometimes even multiple times a day! Whether exercising, catching up with friends, or biking with our kids, the park is where we feel most connected to the community. Colonial Lake also hosts city events and Charleston Parks Conservancy parties that we love attending. Dedicating a bench here felt right because it supports the park we adore and keeps my mom’s memory alive with every visit.”
The Dickers first learned about the Charleston Parks Conservancy at the 2023 Party for the Parks. Since then, they’ve come to appreciate how the Conservancy’s work transforms Charleston’s parks into beautiful urban oases where nature thrives amidst the city’s bustle. “We’re grateful for the Conservancy’s work to beautify Charleston and are proud to support their mission. The Conservancy’s efforts transform Charleston’s parks into beautiful oases where you can escape the city noise for a moment and reconnect with nature.”
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to honor a loved one or want to contribute to the beauty and vibrancy of Charleston’s parks, consider dedicating a park bench through the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Park Bench Program. Your support helps maintain and enhance our cherished green spaces, ensuring they remain places of joy and connection for everyone.