City: Charleston
State/Province: South Carolina
Country: United States

Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Former Mayor, City of Charleston, SC:
I consider Theodora Park one of our City's most significant accomplishments during my 40-year tenure.

First, its commitment to excellence. David Rawle, who lives nearby the park, was the catalyst for Theodora Park's creation. He saw an opportunity to revive a neglected, strategically located piece of property, do so with such high standards that others seek to emulate it, and honor his mother, a gentle and caring woman who loved nature and art.

David was relentless in seeking excellence in every aspect of the park: the stunning 32-ft-long fountain pool with 350 large hand-made tiles by ceramic artist Paul Heroux. The presentation of an exquisite Philip Simmons wrought-iron gate, presented as art, which is what it is. Beautifully designed, very comfortable benches unique to Charleston, tables and chairs that people can move to suit themselves, a design pattern for bricks that feels hand-made, rather than institutional, and a purposeful landscape design that keeps the park looking fresh and colorful throughout the year.

Second, the way the park is personal. Each visitor uses it in a personal way. People feel it is their own private space, which they are happy to share respectfully with others. Theodora Park is in the center of Historic Charleston. The park has no on-site security. And yet, since it opened in mid-2015, not one folding bistro chair or table has been stolen. That's because people are proud of the park and see it as a place that belongs to them.

Third, the examples Theodora Park sets. In addition to the example of excellence, Theodora Park is an example of responsible financial stewardship. The Theodora Park Fun is the first endowment ever created for a City park in Charleston. It assures that the park will be maintained at the highest quality level well into the future.

Theodora Park is an example of how one citizen's passionate leadership can make an indelible difference in the quality of a community's life.

And Theodora Park is an example - truly an inspiration - that demonstrates that even small spaces can provide extraordinary possibilities. Since most communities have many under-utilized small spaces, I hope they will want to emulate Theodora Park's success.

Everyone involved in creating Theodora Park had the sense that we were doing something special, something better, something that could truly raise the bar and make us even prouder of our great city. Our efforts were well-placed. Theodora Park is exactly what public spaces should be: places for people to enjoy and feel comfortable, to be nourished by nature and art, to be by themselves or with others, and to enrich their soul.