Keeping Charleston Green

It’s nearly impossible to overstate the impact the Charleston Parks Conservancy has had on the
City of Charleston and its many distinct communities. Founded in 2007, the Conservancy
operates on a simple but powerful belief: when parks thrive, communities thrive. Since then, the
organization has rejuvenated, redesigned, renovated, expanded, and maintained more than 20 of
the city’s beloved public parks.
In our June 2026 issue of Fig Magazine, we explore Tiedemann Park and Nature Center and the
Wragg Square renovation project. But today, we wanted to shine a light on a few more of the
Conservancy’s remarkable initiatives.
For anyone familiar with West Ashley, the West Ashley Greenway hardly needs an introduction.
Stretching more than 10 miles from Main Road to the South Windermere Shopping Center near
downtown, the trail feels like a gift that keeps on giving. As they walk their dogs or ride their
bikes, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the Stono River and its surrounding marshes,
sandy paths that transition into winding paved trails through the Clemson Extension gardens, and
tunnels of Spanish moss-draped trees. It’s the kind of place where an afternoon can quietly
disappear as you wander, explore, and fall in love with one of Charleston’s most treasured green
spaces.
And if it’s the intersection of beauty and community impact you’re seeking, look no further than
the Mulberry Park Food Forest. Opened in 2024, the project was created with the goal of
providing more than 30,000 pounds of fresh produce to residents and local nonprofits alike. It is
both functional and breathtaking—truly a living work of art. To wander through the forest feels
almost magical, while the rich soil beneath your feet helps nourish some of the community’s
most vulnerable neighbors.
And those are just two examples. Imagine everything else the Conservancy has accomplished.
Dream big—it’s probably still not enough.
Of course, no park or community garden exists in a vacuum, and the Conservancy understands
that deeply. Supported by a passionate board, dedicated staff, and an incredible corps of
volunteers, the organization works every day to keep Charleston green, welcoming, and
beautiful. Through hands-on demonstrations, educational programming, and community events,
they also share their horticultural expertise with anyone eager to learn. Interested in getting
involved? They’d love to have you. And if your thumb isn’t green yet, don’t worry—they can
help with that, too.

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