Plus, The Main Street Latin Festival is returning.
 
April 29, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
Artisphere

Today’s Forecast

82º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:36 a.m. | Sunset 8:06 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

From our friends at WLTX

 
🌳 Get outside
4Y3A1796.jpg

Views from Riverfront Park show the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers to form the Congaree. | Photo by COLAtoday

Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Columbia features 20+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of the Soda City’s best:

Nature parks

Harbison State Forest, 5500 Broad River Rd.
Harbison State Forest is a 2,137-acre forest offering hiking, biking trails, and fishing. The park also features picnic areas and playgrounds, making it a great place for families to spend the day.

Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St.
The Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park offer a beautiful area to walk along the river beneath the hanging Spanish moss. There are even built-in exercise stations located at the beginning to supplement your cardio workout.

Screenshot 2024-04-25 at 9.19.59 PM.png

The updates to Finlay Park include a revitalized event stage, fountain, and new walkways. | Rendering from the City of Columbia via the design team, Stantec + LS3P.

Family parks

Gills Creek Memorial Park, 24 Forest Lake Pl.
The Forest Acres community welcomed the new $3 million park project along Forest Drive recently. The new park, born from the aftermath of the 2015 flood, aims to rejuvenate the area, offering families a vibrant gathering space complete with a splash pad and scenic walkways.

Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia
Finlay Park renovations are well underway at the park located between the Main Street District and the Governor’s Mansion in the heart of Columbia. The feature park is undergoing an $18 million renovation that includes an improved event stage, playground, climbing wall, walkways, and a splash pad.

Dog parks

Bark West, 1940 Augusta Rd., West Columbia
Bark West is a members-only unleashed park, with designated small and large dog areas. Become a member today.

IMG_5439

Practice your kickflips at Owens Field Skate Park. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Sports park

Owens Field Park, 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd.
Located near Owens Field Airport, Owens Field Park includes a disc golf course, skate park, dog park, and several baseball + soccer fields.
City Guide presented by AllSouth Federal Credit Union.
 
Asked
 
What is your favorite park activity to do in our city?
A) Walking my dog
B) Spending time with the kiddos
C) Having a picnic
D) Jogging or working out
E) Other
 
 
Events
 
Monday, April 29
  • Silversun Pickups | Monday, April 29 | 7:30 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $35 | Come hear new music from the alt-rock band that hit the mainstream in 2006 with their song “Lazy Eye.”
Tuesday, April 30
  • Page Turners Book Group | Tuesday, April 30 | 6-7 p.m. | Richland Library North Main, 5306 N. Main Street Columbia | Free | This month’s title is “Dial A for Aunties” by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Wednesday, May 1
  • Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | Wednesday, May 1 | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Learn about organic solutions to those pesky pests and diseases.
Thursday, May 2
  • First Thursday: Live Music and L’apero | Thursday, May 2 | 4-9:30 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | Experience live music from 5 to 8 p.m. and treat yourself to a French happy hour, L’Apero, available from 4 p.m. until close.
Friday, May 3
  • Live at Loveland | Friday, May 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Loveland Coffee, 7475 Carlisle St., Irmo | Free | Enjoy listening to talented musicians + connecting with the community.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Rosewood Crawfish Festival c/o Solid Entertainment
 
News Notes
 
Number
  • $3 million. That’s how much Lexington County could receive for a new sports facility if the current state budget is approved. The proposed complex includes baseball and soccer fields, along with a multi-sports building. (The State)
Sports
  • Booooo. Boo Major, the longest-tenured coach in the history of USC athletics, is retiring after 26 successful seasons as the Gamecocks’ equestrian coach. Major led the team to multiple championships and plans to continue supporting the program behind the scenes in her retirement. (Gamecocks Online)
Development
  • A Murphy’s Gas Station is coming to the corner of St. Andrews Road and Bush River Road, currently a Wells Fargo branch. The Irmo area location near the Harbison sees 16,500 vehicles passing by per day.
Plan Ahead
  • The Main Street Latin Festival returns to downtown Columbia on Saturday, August 24, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. This celebration promises a day filled with Latin music, dance, and cuisine.
Asked
  • Welcome to COLAtoday’s Tortured Poets Department. We have to admit, we’re down bad for the poems submitted in our 2024 Poetry Contest. It’s been over a fortnight since we announced the competition, and we’ve narrowed it down to our top four finalists. Give them a read, then vote for which one you think should win.
Listen
  • Carolina Panthers picked Xavier Legette. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Featured Job
  • Curious about one of the fastest-growing segments within boutique fitness? StretchLab is hiring for stretch therapists, sales associates, and management positions for both their Forest Acres and Lake Murray locations. Learn more + apply.*
 
The Buy
 
Gifts for mom. Our guide has something thoughtful and unique for all the mothers in your life.
 
Answered
 
SC ranks No. 1 in the nation in production of which fruit or vegetable?
Screenshot 2024-04-26 at 9.03.05 AM.png

Turnips grow well in SC’s sandy soil. | Photo via McCloud Farms

Turnip Greens.

65.7% of you said peaches, and that is one of SC’s biggest crops with an annual revenue of $106.2 million. SC’s on to something the rest of the country’s not. Turnip greens can be cooked for hours, flash-fried, or cut up raw and thrown on top of your salad. Plus, they’re a great source of Vitamin K.
 
Share COLAtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-COLA.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_10}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_10}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
Located less than an hour from downtown Columbia, Titan Farms outside of Batesburg-Leesville is the largest producer of peaches in the state, along with a few other veggies. These are the peaches you see at grocery stores and markets all across the country.
Missed our previous newsletter?      ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback      ›
Advertise      ›
Shop      ›
 
 

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP