Leo’s Landing is an inclusive play space at Saluda Shoals, designed for all ages and abilities. | Photo via Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Columbia features 25+ 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
Pine Island State Park, Lake Murray
Opening Wednesday, Oct. 1, this new 27-acre state park will feature shoreline access, picnic areas, walking trails, and scenic views.
Family parks
May’s Park, 4100 Trenholm Rd.
Nearing the end of its major revitalization, the updated park now includes new walking trails, a rain garden, an upgraded playground and splash pad, and a basketball tree.
Dog parks
Page Ellington Dog Park, BullStreet District
The 1.75-acre dog park is fenced in and open to dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Fun Patrol With Sheriff Leon Lott | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Richland Library Southeast | Free | Try this interactive storytime with K-9 demonstrations, forensic activities, and child ID kits from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Budweiser Thirsty Thursday: Enjoy $3 Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and soft drinks at the ballpark.*
Friday, June 27
Soda City Poetry Festival | 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Celebrate the written word with readings, workshops, and performances from local and regional poets.
Miss SC Teen Finals | 7 p.m. | Township Auditorium | 88+ | Watch 26 finalists compete for the crown, with the winner advancing to the national stage in Orlando this September.
Saturday, June 28
Lake Murray’s Independence Day Celebration | 8 p.m. | Dreher Island State Park, Prosperity | Free | Tune in your radio and watch the fireworks show launched from Spence and Dreher Islands.
Black Eats Week 803 | Times vary | Various locations | Price of purchase | Explore exclusive deals and special menu items across the Midlands during this celebration of culinary culture.
For more than two decades, the local architecture, interior design, and planning firm has worked to support Columbia’s growth and development, earning numerous awards.
You’ve definitely seen their work. Think: Smoked, Olympia Armory, and many more. Stay tuned for updates on their next transformative chapter.
Talk about snapping up a win — Gabby Goodwin, 18-year-old CEO of Confidence by GaBBy Bows, won $200,000 at the Good Soil Forum in Dallas. Gabby and her mother, Rozalynn, pitched their patented barrettes on stage to Oprah Winfrey + T.D. Jakes. (The Post and Courier)
Trending
A Soda City bombshell has entered the villa. Columbia native Clarke Carraway joined Love Island USA this week as part of the Casa Amor twist. The 24-year-old peer mentor is hoping to find love in paradise. (Peacock)
Concert
More than 25 years after their chart-topping duet, Brandy + Monica are co-headlining “The Boy Is Mine Tour,” stopping at Colonial Life Arena on Friday, Nov. 14. Guests include Kelly Rowland, Muni Long + American Idol winner Jamal Roberts.
Theater
Follow a mischievous twist down the Yellow Brick Road in “Wicked of Oz: A Comic Fable,” Columbia Children’s Theatre’s family-friendly parody. Performed by CCT’s adult company, the show runs Saturday, July 12 + Sunday, July 13 at Richland Library Sandhills.
Wellness
Little Loggerheads Swim School joins the World’s Largest Swim Lesson today to raise awareness about water safety. The West Columbia-based school teaches self-rescue skills to kids 8 months to 4 years old.
Health
The 2025 Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference is set for Friday, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Brookland Banquet and Conference Center. Hosted by the Brain Injury Association of SC + SC Brain Injury Leadership Council, the event will spotlight rehabilitation, mental health, and advocacy.
Shop
This doctor-recommended vibrator has been shown in published studies to help heighten arousal and support comfort when dryness occurs, thanks to its ultra-flexible shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 30% today.*
Eat
Think of it as a campfire classic — reimagined for your microwave. This s’mores mug cake blends honey graham cracker crumbs, melted chocolate chips, and gooey marshmallow creme in a single-serve dessert ready in just 10 minutes. Sweet tooth, satisfied.*
It turns out all that glitters is gold — at least, in a gold IRA, which lets you hold real gold minus the storage hassle. (Gold is projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026.) Grab your glitter.†*
Post of the Day
There’s a new joey at Riverbanks Zoo — and he needs a name. Simone’s baby Tammar wallaby has been spotted hopping out of the pouch, and keepers just confirmed: it’s a boy. Cast your vote to help name this little guy by Wednesday, July 2 at midnight.
The basics you need while they’re on sale. Amazon Basics just marked down tons of products in a sale exclusive for Prime members — time to restock the bathroom/office/supply closet shelves:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I’m headed to the beach for vacation next week, and I’m hoping to strike gold. I’m borrowing a metal detector from Richland Library’s Library of Things to make my long walks a little more interesting. If you ever need gardening tools or even a moving kit, check out what’s available — it could save you a few bucks.
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