Celebrate City Parks with Annual Park Week
With spring just around the corner (well, feels like it’s been here all winter), it’s time to get out and explore Charleston’s parks and green spaces. The Conservancy is hosting its annual Park Week with plenty of events for every interest level.
Park Week encourages residents to try something new while celebrating all the ways Charlestonians love their parks – from kayaking and biking to spending time in the parks with pets and children.
This year’s lineup includes:
Ashley River Kayaking:10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Brittlebank Park. Bring the family on a historical paddle on the Ashley River. Launch from Brittlebank Park and paddle up the river to Old Towne Creek. Learn about the tidal ecosystem of the estuary from professional naturalists from Nature Adventure Outfitters. Appropriate for ages 4 and up; beginners welcome. Cost is $39 for ages 13 and up; $33 for ages 4-12. Registration closes March 7.
Peninsula Pedal: 5 p.m. Monday, March 12 at Colonial Lake. Grab your bike and a few friends for a self-paced bike ride throughout the city. Meet up with other Park Angels along the way and ride through some of Charleston’s best parks. Meet at the corner of Beaufain Street and Ashley Avenue for introductions and briefing. Participants will be given a map of stop locations and corresponding activities.
Meet between 5-6 p.m. (event ends by 7 p.m.) Tuesday, March 13 at Hazel Parker Playground Dog Park. Grab your pooch (on a lease, of course) and take an interactive dog stroll through Charleston parks while stopping along the way for fun stations and prizes, including a $25 Hyams Garden Center and a Gold Pass from the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission. Meet at Hazel Parker for your map. Free, but registration is required.
Gardening in Small Spaces: Noon to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14 at Etiwan Park on Daniel Island. Take a break from the office or stroll over with the kids to learn how to garden in small spaces. Conservancy horticulturists will demonstrate building a raised bed and how to fill it with the right mix of topsoil and compost. Learn to plant veggies and see some flowers that attrat butterflies. Free.
Pajama Party in the Park: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at Etiwan Park Playground on Daniel Island. The Conservancy, along with students from Bishop England High School’s Band of Buddies program, will show participants how to be “wormologists,” make Monarch butterfly gliders and handle local crabs. Then, play games and relax in your PJs for a story. This event is appropriate for young children. Free, but registration is required. Parent/guardian must participate.
Fitness Friday: Friday, March 16. Join the Conservancy for fitness in the parks. Homespun Hoops will teach the fitness benefits of hula hooping at this 11 a.m. class at Hazel Parker Playground. Free, but registration is required. Open to all ages and hoops will be provided.
Try the Latin-inspired, calorie-burning Zumba at a free class in Cannon Park. Class time is at 3 p.m. and all experience levels are welcome. This class is for adults only. It is free but registration is required.
Grow Your Own Fruit and Berries: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 17 at Sea Island Savory Herbs, 5920 Chisolm Road on Johns Island. Learn what you need to know to successfully grown and harvest fruit and berries in your Lowcountry garden. Cost is $35; registration is required.