Parks and recreation Columbia, South Carolina

finlay park

the region s popular park, finlay park has hosted festivals , political rallies road races , easter sunrise services. 18-acre (73,000 m) park has had 2 lives; first dedicated in 1859 sidney park, named in honor of algernon sidney johnson, columbia city councilman, park experienced illustrious short tenure. park fell disrepair after civil war , served site commercial ventures until late 20th century. in 1990, park reopened. serves site such events kids day, summer concert series, plus many more activities. in 1992, park renamed finlay park, in honor of kirkman finlay, past mayor of columbia had vision reenergize historic congaree vista district, between main street , river, , recreate site formerly known sidney park.

memorial park



riverbanks zoo & garden



congaree national park swamp boardwalk

memorial park 4-acre (16,000 m) tract of land in congaree vista between main street , river. property bordered hampton, gadsden, washington, , wayne streets , 1 block south of finlay park. park created serve memorial served country , presently has monuments honoring uss columbia warship , served during world war ii, china-burma-india theater veterans of wwii, casualties of pearl harbor attack of december 7, 1941, south carolina, holocaust survivors live in south carolina concentration camp liberators south carolina, , state vietnam war veterans. park dedicated in november 1986 along unveiling of south carolina vietnam monument. in june 2000, korean war memorial dedicated @ memorial park. in november 2014, columbia native , resident of boston, henry crede, gave bronze statue , plaza in park dedicated wwii comrades served in navy south carolina.

granby park opened in november 1998 gateway rivers of columbia, adding access many river activities available residents. granby part of 3 rivers greenway, system of green spaces along banks of rivers in columbia, adding piece long-range plan , connecting existing riverfront park. granby 24-acre (97,000 m) linear park canoe access points, fishing spots, bridges, , ½ mile of nature trail along banks of congaree river.

in 5 points district of downtown columbia park dedicated legacy , memory of celebrated civil rights leader in america, martin luther king jr. park. formerly known valley park, historically known largely restricted whites. renaming park after martin luther king jr. in late 1980s seen progressive , unifying event on behalf of city, civic groups, , local citizens. park features beautiful water sculpture , community center. integral element of park stone of hope monument, unveiled in january 1996. upon monument inscribed portion of king s 1964 nobel peace prize acceptance speech: history cluttered wreckage of nations , individuals pursued self-defeating path of hate. love key solutions of problems of world.

one of columbia s greatest assets riverbanks zoo & garden. riverbanks zoo sanctuary more 2,000 animals housed in natural habitat exhibits along saluda river. across river, 70-acre (280,000 m) botanical garden devoted gardens, woodlands, plant collections, , historic ruins. riverbanks has been named 1 of america s best zoos , no. 1 travel attraction in southeast. attracted on 1 million visitors in 2009.

situated along meandering congaree river in central south carolina, congaree national park home champion trees, primeval forest landscapes, , diverse plant , animal life. 22,200-acre (90 km) park protects largest contiguous tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in united states. park international biosphere reserve. known giant hardwoods , towering pines, park s floodplain forest includes 1 of highest canopies in world , of tallest trees in eastern united states. congaree national park provides sanctuary plants , animals, research site scientists, , place walk , relax in tranquil wilderness setting.

sesquicentennial state park 1,419-acre (6 km) park, featuring beautiful 30-acre (120,000 m) lake surrounded trails , picnic areas. park s proximity downtown columbia , 3 major interstate highways attracts both local residents , travelers. sesquicentennial site of family reunions , group campouts. interpretive nature programs major attraction park. park contains two-story log house, dating mid 18th century, relocated park in 1969. house believed oldest building still standing in richland county. park built civilian conservation corps in 1930s. evidence of craftsmanship still present today.

in november 1996, river alliance proposed 12-mile (19 km) linear park system created link people rivers. named 3 rivers greenway, , $18 million estimated cost agreed member governments (the cities of cayce, columbia, , west columbia) proviso alliance recommend acceptable funding strategy.

while funding process underway, existing city of columbia site located on congaree river offered opportunity pilot project 3 rivers greenway. alliance asked design , permit construction general contractor component. approximately one-half-mile segment of system opened in november 1998. complete 8-foot (2.4 m) wide concrete pathways, vandal-proof lighting, trash receptacles, water fountains, picnic benches, overlooks, bank fishing access, canoe/kayak access, public restroom , parking. these set standards common elements in rest of system. eventually, pathways run granby riverbanks zoo. boaters, sportspeople, , fisherpeople have access area, , additional recreational uses being planned along miles of riverfront.

esplanade @ columbia canal



lake murray dam

running beside historic columbia canal, riverfront park hosts 2 , half-mile trail. spanning canal old railway bridge pedestrian walkway. park popular walking, running, bicycling, , fishing. picnic tables , benches dot walking trail. markers located along trail visitors can measure distance. park part of palmetto trail, hiking , biking trail stretches entire length of state, greenville charleston.

other parks in columbia area include:

w. gordon belser arboretum
maxcy gregg park
hyatt park
earlewood park
granby park
owens field park
guignard park
southeast park
harbison state forest




^ archives – america s best zoos . metro spirit. archived original on september 23, 2010. retrieved september 14, 2014. 
^ annual financial report fiscal year ended june 30, 2002 (pdf). retrieved september 14, 2014. 
^ holleman, joey. (january 16, 2010) zoo attracts more million visitors in 09 – local / metro. thestate.com. retrieved on 2010-09-29.