Our Work
Building on the City's Investment
The City of Charleston has committed $15.8 million to build the Lowline. Philanthropy carries it the rest of the way, completing the pathway and bringing Bradford Park fully to life.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Built For The Community, By The Community
The Lowline connects eight neighborhoods that have been divided for over a century, and it should be shaped by the people who live in them. We bring residents into the process through public meetings, social media, and grassroots outreach, so this park is built by the community it serves, not just for it.
This isn't a one-time consultation before groundbreaking. It's ongoing, from early design input through what happens after the park opens, because a corridor this long runs through neighborhoods with genuinely different needs, and no single meeting covers all of them.
ADVOCACY & CITY PARTNERSHIP
The Work That Happens Before Ground Breaks
We work alongside the City of Charleston and the design build team, contributing to the conversations that keep the project moving toward a 2027 opening. Our role is to support, connect, and champion, helping ensure the Lowline stays true to the community's vision every step of the way.
LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP
Our Work Doesn't End at the Ribbon Cutting
Phase 1 opening in 2027 isn't the finish line. It's 1.7 miles of a corridor with a longer future ahead of it.
Once the Lowline opens, we keep raising funds for the programming, maintenance, and new amenities that let the trail grow toward its full two-mile vision, remaining a thriving public space for generations. That means completing a connected series of alleyways through downtown Charleston, and building toward a destination worth returning to, not just passing through: a playground, a fountain, a performance pavilion, a cafe. The kind of amenities that turn a trail into a place people plan their afternoon around.
Your Gift Is Doubled
The Speedwell Foundation matches every dollar until the $1.6M remaining match is met.
The City of Charleston owns and operates the Lowline. The Friends of the Lowline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to support the City in its efforts, serving as its nonprofit partner to help ensure the creation and long-term success of the Lowline.
Let’s Be Friends
Copyright © 2026. Friends of the Lowline. All rights reserved.