Support Allan Park
September 2026 Update
Help us close the gap! We are only $30,000 away from completing our $418,000 fundraiser to renovate and steward Allan Park for the next five years.
Thank you for your support of Allan Park
Allan family members denoted with *.
Mr. Robb Allan*
Carter T. Kennedy Foundation, Sustaining Sponsor
Laura Crotts Frushone*
Stephen Hansen*
Margaret Allan Pinckney*
Gail & David Corvette
Anonymous
Lee Bell and Fotios Pantazis
English Drews and Stephen Giebner
Hampton Park Terrace Neighborhood Association
Krishna Patel
Wertimer + Cline Landscape Architects
Anonymous
Feldman-Demello Charitable Fund
Lynne Ford
Stephen and Susan Hoffius
Agatha Lynn
Julia Martin
Diana Reed
Anne Kelley Russell
Sarah & Joe Clark
Daniel F. Kassis, Jr.
Joyce Wood
Chelsea Banias
Connie Blackmon
Polly Porter-Campbell
Jen Cookke
Anna Claire Day
Jennifer LePage
James Ravenel, Jr.
Meg Rohas
Rebecca Rosenberg
Alisa Tolliver
Lesa Watts, In Honor of English Drews
Susan Wood
Catherine Cusick, In Honor of Margaret Allan Pinckney
Erin Fennell
Dee Ford
Laura Horlbeck
Bradford Law
Donna Jenkins
Alan Koester
Caitlin Ramsey, In Honor of Nico Reed
Patrick Roberts
Jude Shiflett
Sarah Spangler
Emily Topham
Amy Vargas
Dallan Vaughn
Walk & Talk Charleston
Meghan Yancey
July 2026 Update
We are over halfway to our matching goal! $45,000 to go! Thank you to all the neighbors and Allan Family members (names denoted with a *) who have donated to date.
June 2026 Update
On June 23, 2026, the Charleston Parks Conservancy announced two major commitments that will help bring the proposed Allan Park renovation to fruition and support its ongoing care.
Mr. Robb Allan, whose family developed Hampton Park Terrace and donated the land for Allan Park to the City of Charleston in 1920, has pledged a $100,000 matching challenge. To double your donation, simply select “Allan Park Renovation” from the drop down menu of our online donation form or indicate Allan Park on your check or other donation payment.
“My family created and donated the park to the city more than a century ago, and it is deeply meaningful to see the park continue to serve as a gathering place for neighbors and families today. Supporting this renovation is an opportunity to honor that legacy while helping ensure Allan Park remains a beautiful and welcoming space for future generations. By matching contributions from the community, I hope to encourage others to help bring this vision to life and ensure this treasured park continues to thrive for years to come. I am pleased that others in the Allan family also are participating, to remember our long history in the great city of Charleston.” – Mr. Robb Allan
The Carter T. Kennedy Foundation has committed $100,000 over five years to support the park’s long-term stewardship after the completion of the renovation. This donation is critical to ensuring that the park continues to receive the highest standard of care through the critical establishment phase.
“Allan Park is one of the most special and distinctive of Charleston’s many beautiful parks. Sitting beside its fountain, I’ve found great solace and a deep sense of peace. I am honored to contribute to the care and preservation of Allan Park for generations to come.” – Mr. Carter Kennedy
March 2026
The Charleston Parks Conservancy has been honored to care for Allan Park since 2012. The Conservancy is committed to maintaining Allan Park to the highest standard and has identified Allan Park for renovation to respond to evolving community use, changing plant conditions, a maturing tree canopy, and the need to improve seasonal interest, safety and long-term manageability since our last renovation 14 years ago.
We are thrilled to collaborate with esteemed local landscape architect Cindy Cline of Wertimer + Cline to craft an updated master plan for Allan Park based on the community’s feedback. This plan focuses on seasonal interest, accommodating community events and upgrades to infrastructure and hardscaping to ensure the park will serve the community long into the future.
To complete the update of this beloved community asset, we need you to join our efforts. As proposed, the renovation will cost $320,000 for the initial installation (see FAQ for price breakdown) and an additional $20,000 annually for the first 5 years to ensure the park is properly established for longterm success. Donations of any size are incredibly impactful. A limited number of naming opportunities are available for contributions starting at $10,000. Please contact Emily Topham at etopham@charlestonparksconservancy.org for more details.
Together we can bring this vision of Allan Park to reality. Please donate today and indicate “Allan Park Renovation” in the drop down menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Allan Park holds a special place for all who visit. Below are several frequently asked questions the Conservancy has received about the renovation of this beloved neighborhood park. For other inquiries, please reach us at info@charlestonparksconservancy.org.
The last renovation of Allan Park was 14 years ago.
In 2025, the Conservancy and City of Charleston identified Allan Park for renovation to respond to evolving community use, changing plant conditions, a maturing tree canopy, and the need to improve seasonal interest, restore biodiversity and enhance safety and long-term manageability.
The Conservancy conducted a park usage survey in Allan Park in January/February 2026. We received 82 responses from park signage, email and social media distribution. Key findings to improve the park experience include:
- Need to address safety concerns along Ashley Avenue. Increase sight lines through the park.
- Maximize space for neighborhood events – including better care of lawn areas.
- Desire for seasonal blooms so the park is beautiful year round.
- Need for additional seating.
View full survey findings HERE.
Fountain: Add decorative seat wall cap to the outer planter wall, paint the interior of the fountain pool.
Pathways & Brickwork: Fill in radial brick paving around the fountain completing the circle. This will allow for additional seating by reducing the plant beds that block sight lines through the park. Replace existing concrete sidewalks with bluestone for durability and visual appeal.
Seasonal Interest: Balance the North and South planting areas and replace plantings around the fountain. Ensure the park is welcoming with blooms year round.
Seating: Add 4 benches and a seat wall around the fountain plus 8 additional benches along adjacent to the pathways into the park.
Ashley Avenue: Community feedback highlighted the urgent need for a low fence barrier along Ashley Avenue for the safety of children and dogs.
Utilities: Replace irrigation, aging light posts & trashcans.
Total Renovation Fundraise Goal: $320,000
Raised to Date:
*Community Donations & Commitments: $53,000
*City of Charleston Funding Request (2027): $68,000
*Robb Allan Matching Donation: $100,000
Remaining to Raise: $100,000
A limited number naming opportunities are available for contributions starting at $10,000. Please contact Emily Topham at etopham@charlestonparksconservancy.org for more details.
To maintain the renovation timeline for spring 2027 planting and unlock the full value of this generous matching gift, the Conservancy must secure an additional $100,000 in commitments by September 30, 2026, with all pledged funds received by December 31, 2026.
The Conservancy will work with the City of Charleston Parks Department through the traditional city budget process to request matching funds supporting the private fundraise.
Please reach out to your City Council representative to support this initiative.
Pending funding, we anticipate completing infrastructure improvements and site work in early 2027 and hosting a community planting day in March/April 2027 to complete the renovation followed by a community celebration!
To maintain this renovation timeline and unlock the full value of this generous matching gift, the Conservancy must secure an additional $100,000 in commitments by September 30, 2026, with all pledged funds received by December 31, 2026.
The Carter T. Kennedy Foundation has made a generous $100,000 commitment over five years to pay for on-going maintenance after the renovation is complete. For the length of his commitment, the Conservancy has dedicated resources and staff time for:
- ensuring new plantings at the park establish
- plant replacement as needed
- seasonal maintenance including watering, pruning and more
- bi-annual pressure washing of the fountain and hardscape
Note: This commitment does not fulfill the matching gift funds for Allan Park, this is a separate donation for on-going park management following the renovation.
One of the challenges of large canopy trees in urban landscapes is managing root damage to infrastructure. This is especially challenging with concrete, which is easily damaged and prone to cracking.
Durability and maintenance:
Bluestone is a dense, hard natural stone that can last for generations, often outlasting concrete, which is more prone to cracking and staining over time. Further, if a single stone is damaged, it can be replaced individually, whereas repairing cracks in a solid concrete slab is difficult and often leaves visible patches.
Historical origins of bluestone in Charleston:
In the 18th century, ships from Europe and the UK used heavy stone, including bluestone and slate, to stabilize vessels. These were discarded at the wharves in Charleston, which were later used for paving.
Support Allan Park
The Charleston Parks Conservancy accepts qualified charitable distributions, donor advised funds, securities such as stocks, corporate matching programs, and more. Allan Park Renovation must be included in the donation letter to properly restrict funds and unlock matching gift.
EIN: 20-8375561
Mailing: Charleston Parks Conservancy
PO Box 31187
Charleston, SC 29417
Contact: Emily Topham, Director of Development
(843)670-0479 | etopham@charlestonparksconservancy.org
Leadership: Jason Kronsberg, Executive Director
(843)724-5003 | jkronsberg@charlestonparksconservancy.org
Please select “Allan Park Renovation” in the dropdown menu and your donation will automatically be doubled.