Azalea Park
The town of Summerville SC is not far from Charleston and offers residents beautiful outdoor escapes. A great example is Azalea Park where you can enjoy shady loblollies and sculpture gardens.
The park was founded in the 1930s when a group called the Civic League raised money to buy the land and planted its first azaleas. A local nurseryman, George Segelken, contributed the majority of the azaleas that now adorn the park. Read on for some ideas.
Park History
Originally designed in the 1930s, Azalea Park is the oldest planned Summerville city park. Mayor Grange Cuthbert, a flower enthusiast and businessman who understood plantation gardens brought in tourist dollars, had the idea to beautify the town with azaleas. A ladies’ garden club raised money to buy the land and the first plantings, and local horticulturist George Segelken donated and planted many of the salmon-pink azaleas that adorn this park.
Today, the park includes a small canal and swamp pond, gardens and seating areas, a wedding gazebo, the Cuthbert Community Center, a series of bronze sculptures by Sculpture in the South, and of course, the azaleas that give the park its name. It also hosts the wildly popular Flowertown Festival held each April. This three-day arts and crafts and gardening show benefits the Summerville Family YMCA.
Park Amenities
The town of Summerville may have a reputation for being “The Birthplace of Sweet Tea” but there’s so much more to this charming, coastal gem. From its historic district to its new golf courses and 12-acre Azalea Park, this city offers something for everyone. Explore local shops and boutiques, grab a quick snack, or sip on a craft brew, and you’ll see why people love to call Summerville home.
For those looking for a little exercise, take the Sawmill Branch Multi-Use Trail for a scenic walk or jog. Or, head to the Summerville Library for a storytelling session or art workshop. And for kids, the playscape at Gahagan Park with a castle-like structure will keep their imaginations running wild. And, for couples, a stroll through the azaleas at Azalea Park is the perfect way to spend a romantic afternoon together. Explore more!
Park Activities
The Town of Summerville maintains a variety of parks and green spaces for its citizens to enjoy throughout the year. These parks are well-maintained and provide a variety of leisure activities including a multitude of walking trails, scenic ponds, eye-catching bronze sculptures, gazebos, tennis courts, and more!
There are also a number of local events and festivals in Downtown Summerville that offer a unique way to spend your time. Whether you want to try out the local wine bars, go on an escape room adventure, or just soak up some live music, there is sure to be something that will suit your mood.
The most popular event in the Summerville area is the Flowertown Festival, which occurs each April and is a celebration of Spring in the South. This 3-day event floods the streets of Historic Downtown Summerville with gorgeous blooming flowers and is considered one of the top 20 events in the Southeast. The festival also features a wide variety of artists and a farmers market.
Park Events
A visit to the historic downtown Summerville is always a treat, centered around beautifully restored Hutchinson Square. Here you will find charming boutiques, restaurants, wine bars, and the oldest operating drugstore in South Carolina. You will also find seasonal celebrations and unique events like the Sweet Tea Festival and the World’s Largest Sweet Tea Mason Jar, as well as a year-round farmers market that offers locally roasted coffee, fresh kettle corn, coastal seafood, Gullah sweetgrass baskets, and more.
One of the most popular annual events is the three-day Flowertown Festival, held each spring on the first weekend of April. It is a major fundraiser for the Summerville Family YMCA, with every dollar being invested back into community services such as health and wellness programs, swim lessons, summer camp, and diabetes prevention. The event is renowned for its gorgeous blooms—from the park’s beautiful pink azaleas to its delicate white dogwoods and purple wisteria. But what makes it truly special is the Southern charm and hospitality that attendees feel while enjoying the festival. Next article.
Driving directions from Curb Appeal Pressure Washing to Azalea Park
Driving directions from Azalea Park to Gahagan Park
