Historic Colonial Lake has been a popular peninsular Charleston gathering and recreation space for more than 150 years. It is one of the most popular parks for afternoon strolls and dog-walking. Joggers and walkers circle the park at all times of the day. Fisherman also frequent this tidal pond. The park has numerous benches, a seating wall along Rutledge Avenue and plenty of open green space.
In December 2024, the Conservancy hired renowned designer Molly Hendry to lead the design of the new gardens at Colonial Lake. Planting began in March 2025 and the installation will be fully completed by October 2025. To celebrate this milestone, the Conservancy will host the inaugural Bloom Charleston festival on October 17–18, 2025—an inspiring two-day event featuring free garden tours, expert talks, and community programming at Colonial Lake.
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In September 2024 after a successful community fundraising campaign, the Conservancy began its revitalization work of the three acres of gardens at Colonial Lake. This work includes removing overgrown plant material to make way for new, resilient species better suited to thrive in Charleston’s environment and adapt to our changing climate. Such careful planning will ensure that Colonial Lake continues to be a vibrant space, offering year-round beauty and enhancing biodiversity.
The revitalization coincides with routine seasonal maintenance of the remaining plant material, ensuring the overall health and sustainability of the park. Many plants enter a dormant phase in the cooler months which is the ideal time for a hard pruning and will ensure the plants gather strength to bloom again in spring—including the iconic Peggy Martin Roses.
In August 2024, the Conservancy raised critical funds for Colonial Lake in order to mitigate the effects of a changing climate. This project will replace vulnerable plants with beautiful and resilient species to withstand climate change. This renovation aims to help revive biodiversity, create a sustainable environment, introduce lower growing plants to maximize viewsheds, and maintain the park’s beauty.