Corrine Jones Playground facts for kids

Corrine Jones Playground is a popular park in Charleston, South Carolina. It was once known as Hester Park because it was located along Hester Street. This park offers a green space for people in the community to enjoy.

A Park with History

The land where Corrine Jones Playground now stands has an interesting past. During World War II, it was used for temporary housing. In May 1943, a company called Ashley Homes built many apartments here. These homes were meant to help people during the war.

Designed by a Famous Architect

A well-known architect named Douglas Ellington from North Carolina designed these temporary homes. They were only supposed to be used until the war ended. However, they stayed much longer. It wasn't until 1954 that plans were made to take them down.

From Homes to a Park

After the temporary homes were removed, the Charleston County School District decided to buy the land. They wanted to build a new school for the area. This decision eventually led to the creation of the park we know today.

Park Improvements and Future

In late 2011, the Corrine Jones Playground started getting some big improvements. The people living nearby helped raise money for the renovation. They contributed $20,000 towards the project.

Keeping the Park Green

The Charleston County School District later planned to put portable classrooms on the park land. This was going to happen while a nearby school was being renovated. However, the City of Charleston wanted to make sure the park stayed a public green space.

To solve this, the City of Charleston and the School District made a deal. The city gave the school district some land it owned near downtown schools. In return, the school district agreed to give Corrine Jones Playground to the city. This land swap helped keep the park open for everyone to enjoy.