Charleston Parks Conservancy Offers Charleston Gardening Basics Through New Park U Program
CHARLESTON, S.C.—If don’t know your azalea from your zinnia or the difference between pruning shears and a trowel, then the Charleston Parks Conservancy wants you! The organization dedicated to beautifying Charleston area parks and green spaces is sending its volunteers through “basic training” with its first four-week Park U course offered Feb. 3-28.
Park U, offered for free to the Conservancy’s core of volunteers called the Park Angels, is a 101 on horticulture and gardening in Charleston led by Conservancy Executive Director and seasoned horticulturalist Jim Martin. Just in time for the spring planting season, participants will learn about various plants, how to care for them, what tools to use, and resources, both online and off, for budding horticulturists. Martin will also discuss the horticultural history of Charleston parks, as well as Charleston’s rich horticultural heritage.
Space is limited to 20 with all skill levels welcome. Participants must be Park Angels, which are the volunteer force behind the Conservancy, helping plant flowers, raise money and generally spread the word about the Conservancy’s mission. Visit www.parkangels.org for more information and to sign up.
“We created Park U as a way to raise the level of education about horticulture in Charleston,” says Martin. “Whether you’ve never picked up a trowel or you’re a longtime gardener, our hope is that you will take away something new and use it to improve our parks, green spaces and even your own personal garden to make Charleston even more beautiful.”
Park U classes are 6-8 p.m. Feb. 3, 10 and 17 and 9-11 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Charleston Horticultural Society Education Classroom Facility, 46 Windermere Blvd. Participants must commit to all four classes.
For more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org and click on Calendar. To register, contact Paul Wentz, director of projects and volunteers, at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or 843-724-5003.
About the Charleston Parks Conservancy Founded by businesswoman Darla Moore and headed by prominent horticulturalist Jim Martin, the Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to further beautifying City of Charleston parks and green spaces. With the help of its Park Angels volunteer force, the Conservancy seeks to rally community support and pride behind the effort to create a lasting movement. For more information about or to support the Charleston Parks Conservancy, please visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org. For more information or to contact the Park Angels, please visit www.parkangels.org.
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