Parks Conservancy Celebrates Charleston’s City Parks with Annual Park Week
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Parks Conservancy is once again highlighting parks with annual springtime Park Week. With daily events in the parks, Park Week encourages residents to try something new while celebrating all the ways Charlestonians love their parks – from kayaking and biking to enjoying 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.
Bark Angel Stroll: 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. 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 attract 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 at parks throughout Charleston for several free fitness classes from hooping to Zumba.
Grow Your Own Fruit and Berries: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 17. Learn what you need to know to successfully grown and harvest fruit and berries in your Lowcountry garden. Cost is $35; registration is required.
“We are very fortunate to have so many parks in Charleston. The opportunities to get outdoors with your family, friends or pets are endless,” says Jim Martin, executive director of the Conservancy. “Through Park Week we can highlight all the ways residents can enjoy their local parks while exposing them to ways they can get involved in improving their own neighborhood parks and green spaces.”
For general questions about Park Week or sponsorship opportunities, contact Neves Richards at neves@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call 843-724-5003. Also visit www.CharlestonParksConservancy.org for additional details on events and to register for those events requiring pre-registration.
About the Charleston Parks Conservancy
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.
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