05.10.2024

Today’s Forecast

82º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:25 a.m. | Sunset 8:15 p.m.
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🛹 Turning dreams into reality

From inception to fruition: the story of Friarsgate Skatepark

The skatepark in Friarsgate is finished. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Nestled inside the Rawls Creek Park the Friarsgate skatepark officially opened this week, prompting skateboarders, scooterists, roller skaters, and BMXers to flock to Irmo (1113 Friarsgate Blvd.). What began as an idea among local enthusiasts flourished into a testament to community collaboration. Let’s journey through the process that brought this state-of-the-art skatepark to life.

Inception

The inception of the Friarsgate Skatepark dates back several years when a few parents were tired of lengthy commutes for skateboarding + sought to bring a dedicated space to their community.

With the backing of the Town of Irmo, plans were set in motion for a ~8,500 sqft park, settled within a larger recreational project. Funding and partnerships with 5th Pocket Skateparks propelled the project forward.

160984115_276979087276591_5782670032047191117_n — The first renderings of the park from 2021. | Photo provided

Foundation

We wrote an article about Columbia’s growing skateboarding scene in 2022, highlighting a vibrant hub for skateboarding culture, fueled by local advocates like David Toole, owner of Bluetile Skateboards. Through years of advocacy + community-building, skateboarding secured its place within the local civic landscape.

The groundwork laid by initiatives like Owens Field Skatepark + the DIY Lowblock park helped set the stage for the Friarsgate project, showcasing the power of local activism and communal persistence.

Execution

Friarsgate’s skatepark began taking shape as the Irmo Skate Park Committee, the Town of Irmo, and 5th Pocket Skateparks designed the vision for the new park. Through community input, the park’s design evolved, promising an inclusive space for skaters of all levels.

Fruition

As of this week, the new skatepark stands as a testament to the resilience and camaraderie of the local community. Serving as an example of community-driven initiatives, Rawls Creek Park also features a community garden, dog parks, and new amenities alongside the skatepark.

Note: Because other parts of the park are still being developed, the park is closed through today and will reopen on Saturday, May 11. Check out some clips from locals who have tagged the new skatepark’s Instagram account and follow Friarsgate Skatepark on Facebook for more announcements and updates.

Events

Friday, May 10

Gentle Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza | Friday, May 10 | 7-8 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | The class takes place on Boyd Plaza and can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both will be provided.
6th Annual Art on State | Friday, May 10 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | 100-200 Block State Street, West Columbia | Free | Enjoy the beautiful view of the city skyline, dine, stroll, and immerse yourself in local art.
Food Truck Fridays | Friday, May 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 2300 Bull St., Columbia | Free | Happy Friday — enjoy local dishes from local food trucks.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Friday, May 10 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | The first 1,000 fans will receive a Frank Mozzicato Bobblehead, courtesy of Velocity Clinical Research.*

Saturday, May 11

Riverbanks Run 5K | Saturday, May 11 | 7:15-9 a.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | $40-$50 | Riverbanks Run will wind through the park’s scenic back roads, cross the Saluda River, and pass some of the most popular exhibits in the Zoo.
Accessibility Morning - Pete the Cat | Saturday, May 11 | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy free access for families of children, teenagers, young adults, and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly, and disability-adapted experience at the museum.
Dog Mom Day Celebration | Saturday, May 11 | 12-2 p.m. | Modern Companion, 508B Lexington Ave., Chapin | $20 | Make custom friendship-bracelet-style collars with matching bracelets for a dog mom.
WNBA Pre-Season: Las Vegas Aces vs. Puerto Rico | Saturday, May 11 | 1 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $23-$253 | Watch Gamecock legend A’ja Wilson play inside Colonial Life Arena again.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Saturday, May 11 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | May the Force be with you: Join the Fireflies as they battle the Dark Side on Star Wars Night.*

Sunday, May 12

Main Street Walking Tour | Sunday, May 12 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Tour begins at Boyd Plaza, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $5-$10 | Participants will learn about the architecture and history of buildings along the 1300-1700 blocks of Main Street.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Sunday, May 12 | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | Celebrate Mother’s Day with deals for Mom at Segra Park, and enjoy family fun + pre-game autographs on Sundays.*

Plan your weekend

Click here to have your event featured.

Cause

👜 Party with a purpose at this annual fundraiser

A GIF showing women posing for a picture, trying on accessories, and a row of designer bags at the Power of the Purse event.

Women in Philanthropy is rolling out the pink carpet for the annual Power of the Purse event, which benefits women’s and childrens’ causes in the Midlands. | Photos provided by United Way of the Midlands

What’s better than retail therapy for a good cause? Join Women in Philanthropy for their annual charity bash, Power of the Purse, happening Thursday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. at 1208 Washington Place.

Get ready to bid on one-of-a-kind auction goodies, like:

Designer handbags
Vacation getaways
Restaurant packages
And more

Here’s an extra treat: Enjoy custom macarons from B.MAC Bakeshop and groove to beats by Shejay T.O., the official DJ for USC Women’s Basketball.

Snag tickets

News Notes

Canceled

You can forget Justin Timberlake’s “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” concert at Colonial Life Arena, originally scheduled for Saturday, June 8, because it’s canceled. Ticketmaster will refund tickets and a reason for the cancellation was not cited.

Development

The Post and Courier rounded up a list of over 1,000 new apartment units that Columbia has approved so far in 2024. Developments range from 80 to 308 units, with amenities like community gardens and retail spaces. Take a look. (The Post and Courier)

Coming Soon

Speaking of apartment projects — VERVE, the proposed $90 million, 305,000 sqft student housing complex planned for Huger Street, gained approval from Columbia’s Board of Zoning Appeals this week. Pending further approvals are needed like design and site plans. (WLTX, The Post and Courier)

Traffic

SCDOT’s Millwood Avenue Corridor Improvement Project is nearing completion. Resurfacing work from Gladden Street to Devine Street includes bike lanes on both sides of Millwood Avenue, which in some locations has replaced on-street vehicle parking. Final touches (like pavement markings + signage) are coming soon.

Real Estate

The former Cayce Grammar School (800 Lexington Ave.) will be replaced by 12 single-family homes, part of a redevelopment project that aims to preserve the neighborhood’s character. The goal is to offer three and four-bedroom homes. (The State)

Sports

Shane Beamer and USC’s football team will see improvement and regression offensively in 2024. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Fun Fact

Did you know S.C. LIFE, Palmetto Fellows, S.C. HOPE, S.C. Needs-Based Grants, S.C. Tuition Grants, Lottery Tuition Assistance, and the National Guard College Tuition Assistance Program are all lottery-funded scholarships? Meet six recent recipients and see what they’re using their scholarships for.*

Wellness

Match with a licensed therapist on Betterhelp and talk anytime, anywhere — phone, video, or text. Get 25% off your first month.*

Try This

Your how-to guide for tubing the river

Your how-to guide for tubing down the river in Columbia

The shuttle filled with standard tubes and life jackets | Photo by COLAtoday team

So you want to go tubing down the river in Columbia because it’s famously hot in summer but don’t know where to start. No worries — we won’t leave you up the creek without a tube. If you want to catch some rays, see some wildlife, and have a water day with friends + family, we recommend taking the Riverbanks Zoo to Gervais Street Bridge Route (Aka, the Z-G route).

This ~3-hour, 2.5-mile-long float will put-in near Riverbanks Zoo and take you down the lower Saluda River until you reach the West Columbia Riverwalk. This route has Class I + Class II rapids — one to two feet tall rapids over rocks — so children must be 10+ to participate.

Click the button below to learn how to book, where to meet, shuttle services, how to book, what to bring, and more.

Get ready to tube

City Guide presented by AllSouth Federal Credit Union.

The Buy

The Buy 5.10.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This bestselling cordless table lamp. No cord means it’s ideal for outdoor lounge areas and patios — the rechargeable battery lasts up to 48 hours per full charge. Snag it in black, antique brass, or brushed nickel.

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

I am so excited and impressed with this skatepark project. It just goes to show you — if you have a community-building idea, you can make it happen by using your civic voice and collaborating with other citizens. Kudos to the local skate scene. If you want to gather some gear before checking out the park this weekend, head to Bluetile Skateboards in Five Points. They’ll make sure you’re set to shred.

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