Brittlebank Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brittlebank Park |
|
|---|---|
Brittlebank Park is located along the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina.
|
|
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Created | 1975 |
| Operated by | City of Charleston |
Brittlebank Park is a ten-acre park in Charleston, South Carolina. It's located right next to the Ashley River, which is a beautiful spot for outdoor fun. The park is also close to the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, where minor league baseball games are played.
Contents
What's the History of Brittlebank Park?
This land wasn't always a park! From 1954 to 1970, it was actually used as a garbage dump. It had to close because it was causing pollution in the Ashley River.
Who Was Julius Brittlebank?
The park is named after a very generous man named Julius Brittlebank (1859-1937). He started his career as an office boy and eventually built his own successful company. He lived in Charleston for many years and loved to travel the world.
When he passed away, he left money in his will for parks to be built in three cities, including Charleston. The money became available after his son passed away in 1966. The only conditions were that the cities had to name the parks after Mr. Brittlebank and keep them well-maintained. Charleston's City Council accepted the gift in 1967.
When Was Brittlebank Park Built?
Plans for the park started in 1973, and it was officially built in 1975.
Later, a small part of the park's land was given to The Citadel, a military college. This land transfer happened in 1993 and was needed to build the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park baseball stadium.
What Can You Do at Brittlebank Park?
Brittlebank Park is a peaceful park right along the waterfront. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Does Brittlebank Park Have a Playground?
Yes, the park has a playground! It was specially designed so that children with disabilities could also enjoy playing there. In 1992, a pier was added to the park, allowing visitors to get closer to the Ashley River.
Why Is Brittlebank Park Popular for Events?
Because Brittlebank Park has a large open space, it's a popular spot for many different kinds of events. People gather there for concerts, sports tournaments, and even community gatherings.
What Kinds of Events Happen at Brittlebank Park?
In 1987, people gathered at the park to celebrate Harmonic Convergence Day.
Starting in 1989, a local radio station hosted big concerts called "WaveFest" at the park. These events became very popular, with as many as 75,000 people attending in 1995! The city decided to limit the size of events at the park, so "WaveFest" moved to a different location in 1996. In 1999, another music festival, the Z-93 Budweiser Reggae Festival, was held there.
In 2011, Brittlebank Park was a central location for the Occupy movement's activities in Charleston.
Since 2013, Brittlebank Park has been the host of the Charleston Pride Festival, which is a celebration held at the end of Charleston Pride Week.
