Get to know, enjoy your Charleston parks during 'Park Week' and 'Party for the Parks'

The City of Charleston has lots of parks, likely far more than you know and the Charleston Parks Conservancy wants to help you get to know a few and see that they're good for more than just driving past.

The group is hosing Park Week and will put on plethora of events (from gardening, to dog days, stargazing, music, yoga, and more) at parks across the city from Saturday, March 6, to Saturday, March 13.

All are free except the Party for the Parks event on March 13.

That event at Colonial Lake from 5 to 9 p.m. is a full production and is for those 21 and older. Music will be by Flatt City bluegrass band, The Plainfield Project, and DJ Trailmix; Food by Oak, Muse, The Bagel Shop, Queen Street Grocery, Taco Boy, Closed for Business and La Fourchette; performing will be Capoeira dancers, rollerskaters, breakdancers, jugglers, and hip hop dancers. Cappuccino bar by Royal Cup. Firefly Vodka will have a tasting to showcase a new vodka set for release in March. There will also be a silent auction. It's $55 in advance, $75 at the door.

Here's the scoop from an e-mailed release:

Party in the Parks all Week with the
 Charleston Parks Conservancy's First Park Week

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Whether it’s jogging in the park, taking your dog for a walk or just soaking up the sunshine lying on a blanket, Park Week has an event for everyone. The Charleston Parks Conservancy is hosting the first Park Week March 6-13 with a series of events encouraging locals to get out and experience Charleston’s parks and green spaces. 

Park Week kicks off on Saturday, March 6 with a Garden in the Parks volunteer event from 9-11 a.m. at Windermere Boulevard Community Garden. Events at various Charleston parks continue throughout the week with daily themes, including Learning in the Park, Pets in the Park, Healthy Day in the Park and more. The week concludes with a fundraiser for the Conservancy called Park for the Parks: Amusement on the Avenue, a street fair-style event on Ashley Avenue near Colonial Lake Park. 

 

“This is the time of year when people are thinking about getting outside, getting active and enjoying the first signs of spring. Our parks are a perfect place to do that and we want to show the community all the ways they can enjoy and appreciate our local parks,” says Jim Martin, executive director of the Conservancy. “What better way than to devote an entire week to the parks.”

Below is a schedule of all Park Week events: 

Saturday, March 6 – Garden in the Park

9-11 a.m. at Windermere Boulevard Community Garden. Help this park get ready for spring and look its best all year. 

 

Sunday, March 7 – Picnic in the Park

1-4 p.m. Cannon Park, between Ashley and Rutledge avenues. Bring the whole family for an afternoon in the park. Pack your blanket and lunch and enjoy games and activities like cornhole hosted by the Charleston Parks Conservancy. 

 

Monday, March 8 – Learning in the Park: Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring

5:30-6:30 p.m. at Hazel Parker Playground, 70 E. Bay St. Join lifelong local gardener and professional horticulturist Jim Martin as he spotlights some of the newest looks in container gardening (think vegetables and a splash of color!), discusses ways to improve your garden’s look as well as provides a list of must-do garden activities for this time of year. Attendees also won’t want to miss the plant giveaways every 20 minutes.

 

Tuesday, March 9 – Pets in the Park

7:30-9:30 a.m. Have Bagel Bites with the Bark Angels at the Hampton Park Dog Run on the corner of Rutledge Avenue and Grove Street. Exhibitors will be on hand with information, activities and giveaways.

4-6 p.m. Bring your pooch to Bark Angel Yappy Hour at Ackerman Park Dog Run, 55 Sycamore Drive. Exhibitors will be on hand with information, activities and giveaways.

 

Wednesday, March 10 – Youth in the Park 

This an early release day for Charleston County Schools, so youth groups are invited to work in the local parks. Staff horticulturalists will work alongside youth groups teaching them the proper techniques and skills needed to manage a garden. Groups interested in participating in the Youth in the Park day should contact Neves Richards at 843-724-5003 or neves@charlestonparksconservancy.org. Community service hours are available for high school and college students.

 

Thursday, March 11 – Healthy Day in the Park 

3-6 p.m. at Moultrie Park (next to Colonial Lake). At 3 p.m. the Charleston Bicycle Co. will offer bike safety checks. At 4 p.m., Holy Cow Yoga will offer a beginner yoga class. And at 5 p.m. learn about the healthy benefits of running with expert advice from runner Bob Schlau.

 

Friday, March 12 – Night in the Park

7:30-9:30 p.m. at Etiwan Park, Etiwan Park Street on Daniel Island. 

Low Country Star Gazers will show off the nighttime sky with a star gazing program. Free refreshments will be available. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required at www.parkangels.org.

 

Saturday, March 13 – Party for the Parks Amusement on the Avenue

5-9 p.m. on Ashley Avenue between Colonial Lake Park and Moultrie Park in downtown Charleston. Enjoy live music from the Flatt City bluegrass band, The Plainfield Project and DJ Trailmix along with Capoeira dancers, rollerskaters, breakdancers, jugglers and hip hop dancers. Attendees can munch on food from Oak, Muse, The Bagel Shop, Queen Street Grovery, Taco Boy, Closed for Business and La Fourchette as a well as a cappuccino bar by Royal Cup. Firefly Vodka will have a tasting to showcase a new vodka set for release in March. There also will be a silent auction. Tickets to Party for the Parks are $55 in advance; $75 at the door. This event is for those 21 and older. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.PartyfortheParks.com.

For more information on the Conservancy or any of the Park Week events, visit www.parkangels.org

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.parkangels.org.  

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