Conservancy helps city bloom

There was a very generous letter to the editor on March 22 from a resident of Harleston Village, applauding the new planting of daffodils and landscaping at the Rutledge Avenue and Calhoun Street median and the border of Cannon Park.

This is indeed a beautiful sight enjoyed by the residents of the neighborhood and all who pass by it. The City of Charleston has a very dedicated Parks Department staff, and our city horticulturalist, Jo Ann Breland, and her staff work wonders with flower beds, flowering trees and shrubs throughout our city.

The daffodils at the Rutledge Avenue and Calhoun Street median and on Cannon Park, however, are the fabulous work of the Charleston Parks Conservancy, a wonderful new partner we have in the City of Charleston. The Charleston Parks Conservancy (CPC) was founded in 2007 by Darla Moore and now has a dedicated board of directors and a splendid executive director, Jim Martin. Charleston Parks Conservancy also has a terrific volunteer group called the “Park Angels” who help plant and maintain public spaces.

Because of the CPC and this partnership, we have a greater capacity to make the public spaces in our city even more beautiful and enjoyable for our citizens. If you would like to be involved in the CPC, visit the website at www.charlestonparksconservancy.org, where you have the opportunity to participate in their wonderful “Garden in the Parks” program by becoming a park angel or donor.

The City of Charleston and our Parks Department are proud to have the opportunity to work with the Charleston Parks Conservancy to make our beautiful city even more so.

Joseph P. Riley Jr.
Mayor
City of Charleston

Broad Street