Charleston Parks Conservancy Seeks Volunteers for Garden Clean up Days at Local Parks
CHARLESTON, S.C.—The Charleston Parks Conservancy and its core of Park Angels volunteers is about to get their hands dirty – literally. The nonprofit dedicated to beautifying Charleston area parks and green spaces has planned four Garden Clean Up days in January to get several local parks in shape for spring and is looking for volunteers to help.
To assist the City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department and free their time to focus on other tasks, the Conservancy and Park Angels will take over the maintenance of several gardens areas in Marion Square, Brittlebank Park and Chapel Street Triangle Park for 2009. The organization is also continuing to work with the Charleston Horticultural Society to beautify the Windermere Boulevard Community Garden through a project that began last June. The groups will be prepping the area for spring along with providing education about gardening techniques to volunteers.
“After getting the Conservancy set up and our team of Park Angels in place, we are ready go out and really start making a difference for Charleston’s green spaces,” says Jim Martin, executive director of the Conservancy. “We encourage anyone who’s interested to come along, not only to help out their community, but to get some hands-on gardening training under the guidance of very experienced horticulturalists.”
Marion Square Jan. 22, 9 a.m.-Noon Volunteers will head to Marion Square to clean up the rectangular planting beds throughout the park. Staff and volunteers will educate workers about the history of the park and its horticulture. Volunteers should meet at the Calhoun side of the park.
Brittlebank Park Jan. 24, 9-11 a.m. The Conservancy and the Park Angels will be focusing on clean up of the landscaping around the main park entrance sign. Volunteers should meet at the Brittlebank Park sign off Lockwood Drive.
Chapel Street Triangle Park Jan. 28, 9 a.m.-Noon Volunteers will tackle garden clean up throughout the entire park, which is located at Chapel and Alexander Streets, while educating volunteers about its history.
Windermere Boulevard Community Garden Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Pruning, planting, weeding and spring mulching will be on tap for this clean up day in preparation for spring. Conservancy staff and others will provide informal discussions of tips and techniques for working in your own garden. Volunteers should meet behind Earth Fare in West Ashley.
For all of the above activities, volunteers should bring their own pruners, garden gloves and a garden bucket. Please contact Conservancy Volunteer Coordinator Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call 843-724-5003 to let him know you’ll be attending. Visit the CharlestonParksConservancy.org site and click on Calendar for more information and maps of the parks. Visit ParkAngels.org to sign up to become a Charleston Park Angel.
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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