Looking Back at Accomplishments for 2012
The Charleston Parks Conservancy has a simple yet powerful mission: To increase the quality, awareness, appreciation and usage of Charleston’s parks and green spaces. Over the last year, we have truly fulfilled that mission. Not only do we see people eating, exercising, relaxing and playing in the parks but we also see how more and more people are engaging with our organization. They believe in the power of parks. They believe in helping us achieve our goal of beautifying and preserving Charleston’s parks and green spaces.
Thanks to our volunteers, donors and supporters, the following are some of our major accomplishments this year:
– Allan Park: Over the course of three days in May, more than 50 volunteers helped put 1,000 plants in the ground as part of a major garden installation in Allan Park. The park was completely transformed thanks to volunteers, neighbors and donors who raised $15,000 to turn a sparse patch of land into a lush park.
– Maybank Tennis Center: The Conservancy and friends of the Maybank Tennis Center raised more than $16,000 for the addition of three clay courts and the rebuilding of six hard courts.
– Party for the Parks – Amusement on the Avenue: This third annual event at Colonial Lake was a tremendous success. We raised $80,000 thanks to our event sponsors, supporters and attendees.
– Corrine Jones Park: This spring we put the finishing touches on a park makeover that began at the end of 2011. First, new playground equipment was added to the park and the playground area was expanded. This past April, 500 flowers and shrubs were added to the park thanks to the help of many volunteers.
– Park Angels: Park Angels are volunteers of the Conservancy who understand the importance of preserving, sustaining, and beautifying our parks. This year 150 new Park Angels joined our cause, bringing our total to more than 600 volunteers. Those Park Angels donated 2,396 hours of time to Conservancy programs.
– Programs: The Conservancy is directly involved in 23 parks and green spaces in Charleston. Our programs consist of Parks Renovations, Garden in the Parks, Community Gardening and Educate You. In 2012, we put 45% of the annual budget toward programming.
As we wind down 2012 and look to a new year, won’t you support our parks and develop a lasting connection to nature by volunteering, becoming a Park Angel or making a donation? If you believe in the power of parks, join our movement as we continue our work in 2013 and take on new park projects, develop community gardens and instill in our children a true knowledge and appreciation of their environment.