Playgrounds in Columbia SC
Playgrounds in Columbia SC are located in many different neighborhoods, including the downtown area and West Columbia. There are several state-of-the-art parks in Columbia, SC, including Carraway Park and Saluda Shoals Park. You'll find sensory play areas at many of these playgrounds as well. If you're looking for a place that offers a musical element, try Leo's Landing at Saluda Shoals Park.
Maxcy Gregg Park
The Maxcy Gregg Park playground is a favorite of kids and parents alike. This park features walking trails, a garden, and a seasonal Olympic-sized swimming pool. Parents can relax at the City green space, too, including the Olympic-size seasonal swimming pool. There are also several playgrounds for younger children. If you're looking for something a little more unique, you may want to check out the City's Green Space Trail.
A great way to spend a day with your kids is to take advantage of the Columbia Parks Department's outdoor play area. It's a nice, peaceful place to enjoy a picnic or walk the dog. You can also enjoy some quiet time with your partner in the park with music or a little meditation. You'll be glad you did. If you're in Columbia, SC, be sure to check out Maxcy Gregg Park.
Saluda Shoals Park
There's no other place in the area that rivals Saluda Shoals Park for playground fun! This 400-acre park is complete with a river observation deck, boat launches, picnic shelters, and multi-use trails. If you're looking for a great day out with the family, Saluda Shoals Park is the perfect choice. Regardless of the age of your kids, you're sure to find a fun activity here.
To build this playground, the Saluda Shoals Park Foundation and Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission have partnered with the nonprofit Shane's Inspiration, which provided free project guidance. After a Request For Qualifications, a landscape architect from Columbia was hired to design the playground. The project team met with the architect for two days at the park to come up with the best layout.
Saluda Shoals Park is tucked away near the lake. It is home to more than ten miles of hiking trails and canoe and kayak launch areas. A zero-depth water park and an environmental center provide plenty of entertainment for young children. For a more challenging adventure, parents can take their kids to the nearby Saluda Splash Water Park. To make things even better, the Saluda Shoals Wetland Preserve is also home to many types of animals and birds.
Drew Park
For children to enjoy the outdoors, the Drew Park playground is a great place to play. This playground offers plenty of space for playing and a nearby community center and swimming pool is a great place to cool off. A community center provides computers, Internet, and activities for kids, while a baseball diamond and picnic shelters provide shade. There is also a water spray feature for splashing and playing. During the hot summer months, many Columbia SC parks are closed for the season, but there is an indoor playground at Drew Park for children to cool off.
Originally named Seegers Park after the white family that owned the land and operated a brewery, Drew Park was renamed in 1952 to honor Dr. Charles R. Drew, a prominent African American physician and pioneer of blood transfusion. It featured some of the best facilities for African Americans in the city of Columbia, including the city's first swimming pool. This park's mission is to improve the health of Columbia's residents, including its youth.
Emily Douglas Park
Located near the intersection of King and Wheat streets, the Emily Douglas Park playground features state-of-the-art play equipment, a dog park, and a large lawn. Sims Park is also accessible and features playground equipment, a basketball court, covered picnic areas, and a marble bench dedicated to long-time Columbia mayor Bob Coble. Both parks are handicap accessible, and provide after-school and summer day camps for children.
The City of Columbia's Parks and Recreation Department has installed a meditation garden in the northeast corner of Emily Douglas. The memorial garden is dedicated to Tao Gao, who grew up in Shandon and loved to play in the park. It includes a rock fountain and decorative plantings, as well as a 200-square-foot gazebo. Two additional sitting areas will soon have benches for visitors to use. The memorial garden was constructed in partnership with the City of Columbia's Parks and Recreation Department, Chao and Associates Engineers, Grimball-Cotterill Landscape Architects, and Sassafras Landscapes.
Marshall Park
A new playground is set to be built in the 2900 block of Lincoln Street in Columbia, SC. It will be open from dawn until dusk. A $100,000 Wells Fargo Neighborhood Lift Grant is providing the funding for this project. It will include a new playground, an outdoor gym, and larger picnic tables. The community is encouraged to participate in the construction process. To learn more about the project, visit the Columbia, SC, city website.
Two Columbia parks recently held ribbon cuttings to announce the opening of a new playground and water fountain. This is just the latest activity in the city's parks system. The city is also developing a local food scene and performing arts venues. Whether you're looking for an outdoor playground or a relaxing place to relax in nature, you'll find a playground and park in Columbia, SC. These spaces will appeal to a variety of ages and tastes.
Finlay Park
If you're looking for a place for your kids to play while you're downtown Columbia, SC, you've got to check out the Finlay Park playground. This park opened in 1991 and is Columbia's most popular and largest park. Originally called Sidney Park, Finlay Park is named for former Columbia mayor Kirkman Finlay. Children can enjoy swings, slides, and other activities in this park.
The city of Columbus announced the $18 million project in late 2019, which included an overhaul of Finlay Park. Improvements included a pond redesign, new restrooms and shelters, and a redesigned parking lot on Laurel. The park will also include a new large playground. Nearby residents are likely to welcome the new additions. But what is the plan for the park's future? For now, the playground remains a popular attraction for locals.
The city council recently approved a $175,000 budget to upgrade the park's playground. The project will include a new events stage, restrooms, a shelter, and improvements to the walking paths and the park's iconic spiral fountain. And while it's hard to see where all of this money will come from, this project is a welcome addition to the city's downtown. If you're interested in learning more about the project, visit the Finlay Park website.
Edisto Discovery Park
In the heart of downtown Columbia, SC, Edisto Discovery Park is the perfect place to get outside with your family. With a concrete splash pad, choice playground equipment, and a fossil dig area, this park is the perfect spot to have a birthday party or small group meeting. A playground with age-appropriate play equipment is also available, along with an outdoor basketball court. Site landscaping, sidewalks, and security lighting complete the picture.
Public transportation to Edisto Discovery Park is easy with Moovit. The app shows you live arrival times and distances, as well as bus and train schedules. You can also buy transit passes right on Moovit to save time on your trip. Moovit also helps you find alternative routes and times so you can get to Edisto Discovery Park in the quickest time. You don't even have to worry about buying a ticket because the app will calculate the best time for you to get there.
Sesqui
For a family vacation in the Carolinas, there are several great parks to choose from, including Sesqui Park, a 1,400-acre state park in Northeast Columbia. The park offers playgrounds, hiking and nature trails, and dorm-style buildings. In addition, families can enjoy fishing, boating, and birdwatching at the park. Sesqui is also a popular spot for corporate retreats and group campouts.
If you have children of different ages, there are parks in Columbia with many attractions. Many are located along the river or near Lake Murray. The city also has parks throughout the suburbs. The parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, from sports to family activities. There's a playground for everyone! And if your family doesn't want to spend a lot of time playing outside, you can always visit the park's office to buy some ice or firewood for your barbecue. You can even pick up some t-shirts and other novelty gifts.
