Colonial Lake Revitalization 2025
In Spring 2024, the Conservancy launched a fundraising campaign to revitalize the three acres of gardens at Colonial Lake. In less than two months, the community surpassed our original $125,000 fundraising goal allowing us to complete the revitalization in one year instead of the originally proposed two years. The Beach Company, a long time supporter of the Conservancy also stepped forward with a substantial multi-year commitment to ensure that the gardens are not only restored but will be cared for and thrive for years to come.
Work began in the fall of 2024 with cleaning out, thinning overgrown and invasive species, restoring sight lines and getting ready for significant planting starting in Spring 2025. The Conservancy repurposed some plants to other parks, hosted a community “Dig and Divide” day attended by 100 people, and volunteers were invited to take home non-invasive plants that were removed, ensuring minimal waste.
In December 2024, the Conservancy hired renowned designer Molly Hendry to lead the design of the new gardens at Colonial Lake. Planting began in April 2025 and the installation was fully completed in October 2025.
Did you know that the Conservancy must raise 90% of our $3 million budget annually to continue our work to create and maintain beautiful parks, host free community events and give back to those in need in our community through our Grow it Forward food and flower donation program? The community’s continued support of our park stewardship is critical to the Conservancy’s ability to continue to fulfill our mission.
Please consider donating today to support our work in your parks.
Q & A From Designer, Molly Hendry
“I love digging into projects that, at first glance, have a lot of challenges. I think some of the most creative work is born out of maneuvering within restraints. At Colonial Lake, we have not only the opportunity to respond to the rich history and culture of Charleston but also the challenge of crafting resilient plant communities that can thrive within the realities of climate change impacts. I am really eager to dive head first into studying the tidal plant communities and drawing connections to this beloved public space for the Charleston community.”
“I first fell in love with the natural world as a little girl exploring the wild woods and creeks out my back door in Alabama. These early childhood rambles still shape me as a designer today, and I am most inspired by gardens that have a strong connection to the wild. Even within the boundaries of a cultivated garden, there is so much room to evoke the qualities of our native landscapes. For the Colonial Lake Project, I am most excited to draw inspiration from the surrounding tidal landscapes. I think these wild places will have lots to teach us when it comes to designing resilient plant communities that can withstand coastal flooding in a changing climate.”
“Climate change is a global issue with very local impacts. I have been so blessed to have a variety of experiences in other countries studying their landscapes and gardens. However, I am completely smitten with the Southern landscape! No matter how far I have gone, the South has drawn me back. I love the challenge of taking what I have learned in other international contexts and applying it to my native landscape here in the South. I recently returned from the International Garden Festival in Bergamo, Italy, where the theme for this year was “Facing the Crisis.” Landscape practitioners from all over the world showcased their work and how it is addressing our changing climate. It was so inspiring to see how, while we are all facing the same climate crisis, we can each contribute to solutions using our own unique talents in our own communities. I am excited to partner with the Charleston Parks Conservancy to create a show piece at Colonial Lake that addresses a global issue with Southern flair!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Colonial Lake holds a special place for all who visit. Below are several frequently asked questions the Conservancy has received about the latest revitalization of this beloved community park. For other inquiries, please reach us at info@charlestonparksconservancy.org.
This upcoming revitalization is horticultural only, while the renovation in 2016 included infrastructure, including a tidal control structure, sea wall, hardscape, lighting, benches, irrigation and more.
Flooding has gone from an event that occurs only in a hurricane/surge event to happening at any high tide rain event, including this past December and March. This horticultural renovation addresses a changed and changing environment and will not require that the park be closed to residents.
The loss of many mature trees has turned shady areas into disturbed and sunny areas, where aggressive and invasive species have taken over.
The addition of lower-growing and less aggressive pollinator-attracting plants will increase biodiversity, aid in stormwater absorption, attract wildlife, increase safety and visibility, and be easier to manage for the small staff and volunteers that manage 24 other parks and gardens around the city.
We’re creating a more resilient and sustainable landscape by considering the balance between shade and sunlight and selecting plants that thrive in various light conditions.
Based on our observations and conversations about how the community and the Conservancy utilize and activate the space, we propose adding a turf/grass area to mirror the lawns in other portions of the park for events, programming, and passive areas.
UPDATE – April 3, 2025: The tree canopy along Beaufain Street is being replanted this week with a combination of native Black Tupelo Trees, Fringe Trees and Charleston’s classic Peppermint Peach trees.
While beautiful, the 40 cypress trees along Beaufain Street are a prime example of the critical importance of putting the right tree in the right place. Cypress trees are large (can grow up to 50’!), have water-seeking roots and put up knees. This combination is creating considerable damage to the hardscape and infrastructure around the lake. The roots are causing cracked sidewalks, damaged water pipes and irrigation lines and destruction of the tabby wall that lines the lake.
WHY WERE THEY PLANTED THERE TO BEGIN WITH?
The trees were planted in 2015 as part of the original renovation of the lake horticulture by the Charleston Parks Conservancy. They were planted for their beauty and shade benefits without taking into full consideration the impact of the root systems over time. Removal was a difficult decision as we love the trees as much as the community does, however our responsibility to maintaining the integrity of Colonial Lake as a safe and accessible community amenity and its critical role in stormwater management must take precedence. Our design team is working with arborists and other experts to fully understand the long ranging impacts of our future plant selections.
WHY AREN’T YOU RELOCATING/REUSING THE TREES?
Cypress trees of this size have extensive root systems and removing the full system to transplant the tree would cause even further damage to the lake infrastructure. Tree roots will be ground down 12 inches and will naturally decay, enriching the soil for years to come.
Some plants were relocated to one of the Conservancy’s other 25 parks, gardens and trails in the City of Charleston. The Conservancy also hosted community “dig and divide” days where members of the community were invited to bring plants home and use them in their own gardens.
Invasive species were removed and destroyed.
The Cypress trees along Beaufain were too large to relocate without causing significant infrastructure damage. Those trees were cut down and the stumps were ground down and will decay and become nutrient rich compost for the new garden.
We Need Your Ongoing Support
Your financial contributions are vital for keeping Colonial Lake cared for and maintained year-round. Parks and green spaces are ever-changing, requiring consistent oversight and work. Watering, pruning, and other expert horticultural practices are necessary for helping your park flourish healthily in all seasons.
Please select “Support Your Parks” in the dropdown to contribute to a sustainable future of Colonial Lake.
Thank you for your support
The Beach Company
Colin & Claire Coletti
Cindy & Ben Lenhardt
Speedwell Foundation
John M. Rivers, Jr. Foundation
Sven, Kristin & Delfina Lindblad
Leslie Turner
Tempest Restaurant
Jessica Aaron
Dominic Cioffoletti
Nigel and Kate Cooper
Adrienne Eischeid
Justin Ferira
Madison Floyd III
Jessica Gibadlo
Penelope Gnesin
Ken and Robin Hanger
Mariana Hay
Jay & Julie Kaminski & The Walking Book Club®
Woody and CJ Kerr
Susan Kridler
Celeste Patrick
Susan Richards
Ronald Wyman
Sheran Becker
Dufford Young Architects
Hall and Christine McGee
Alysann Sieren
Ryan Beyer
Henry Blackford
Willie Carswell
Karin Carlson
Tracey Gillespie
Mrs. Roger (Bessie) Hanahan
James Hewlett
Kathleen Knorring
Peggy Lewis
Nancy Maher
Peter Mani
Denise Mansheim
Lucius C. Beebe and Lindsay Marshall
Emily Ogden
Linda Mays O’Quinn
Elizabeth Perrine
Edward Rawl
William and Elaine Simpson
Sidney & Linda Smigh
Bruce Thiers
Megan Waligora
Amy Adams
Melinda Allen
Connie Andrews
Chloe Ayo
Kirsten Bhattacharyya
Kathryn Brennan
Ron and Brenda Cain
Beverly Carson
Bill Carswell
Tony Chiappetta
Avery Costigan
Amanda Cunningham
Carole & James Davidson
Bryanna Dering
Melissa Barbour Dickerson
Nate Dittman
Diane Fletcher
Gary & Carolyn Gildersleeve
Corrie Gladstein
Marian Greely
Will & Jason Hardee
Lisa Hartman
Nicholas Helms
Patrick Heyne
Sherry Hirsch
Hitopoulos
Susannah Hubbell
Donna Hudgins
Paul Keefer
Peggy Levinson
Denise Mansheim
Carla Marcinowski
Marilyn Mattice
David Mendez
B.V. Messervy
George Mosby
Larry Musetti
Anna O’Quinn
Pearce
Blythe Penna
Grace Reed
Jeannie Rogers
Jenny & Rich Rosenthal
Elizabeth Russell
Nancy Scaramella
Nancy Scheurer
Danny Scott
Jolene Struebbe
Michael & Laura Taylor
Sandra & William Thornton
Alisa M. Tolliver
Lisa Turner
Joan Ustin
Ali Warburton
Lisa Woodring