The City's Parks and Rec Department is more than just athletics, we offer numerous programs, and there are different departments within Parks and Rec that keeps us flowing! Take a deeper dive into our parks with our tour guide, Wanda Austin.

Check out episode 8 of #TellingOurStory featuring the Athletics Department.

"Lock It Up, Columbia"

Firearm Safety Campaign

Free Gun Lock Giveaway

In partnership with Columbia Police Department, Columbia Parks and Recreation and a local nonprofit, Serve and Connect, the city announced its “Lock It Up, Columbia” campaign which encourages firearm owners to make safe firearms storage a priority.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, 89% of unintentional shooting deaths of children occur in the home — and most of these deaths occur when children are playing with a loaded gun in their parents’ absence.

“Today, I am pleased to introduce the City of Columbia’s Lock it Up Campaign, a project this is focused on promoting safety in our communities by increasing safe firearm storage. Over the next several months, the City in partnership with Columbia Police Department, Parks and Rec, and community leaders will be raising awareness, why it's important to store firearms safely, safe storage device options, how to practice safe storage at home, how to encourage others to store firearms safely,” said Councilwoman Aditi Bussells.

To encourage safe storage solutions among firearms, Serve and Connect will be hosting a kick-off event for FREE gun locks on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in The Belmont Community, 1003 Colleton St. This will be the first official event where gun locks will be distributed to the public. After the 30^th, citizens will have the opportunity to pick up free gun locks at various locations and events.

For more information, visit columbiasc.gov.

Prime Time in the Parks Teen Program 

The Columbia Parks & Recreation Department are hosting 12 free teen nights for Columbia’s youth, which began Friday, June 10.

Prime Time in the Parks is a free late-night teen program that provides a fun and safe environment for youth ages 13-18 years old.

Prime Time in the Parks Schedule|

Friday Nights from 8-11 p.m.

·        July 8

o   Game Night Mania at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue

·        July 15

o   Community Event: Movie Night at the Park at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue

·        July 22

o   Teen Summer Party at Greenview Park, 6700 David Street

·        July 29

o   Community Event: Movie night at the Park at Page Ellington Park, 2220 Gregg Street

·        August 5

o   Teen Wildin’ Out Party at Pinehurst Park, 2300 Pinehurst Road

·        August 12

o   Badges and Parks Alliance Basketball Game, MLK Park, 2300 Greene Street

·        August 12

o   Community Event: Movie Night in the Park at Page Ellington Park, 2220 Gregg Street

·        August 19

o   Teen Summer Kickback at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue

For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 803-545-3100.

City’s Summer Camps Program

Art, Sports & Weekly Camps Offered for Children

Registration for the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Camps Program, which includes weekly camps and a variety of specialty camps, is open for children ages 5 and up.

Weekly summer camps will be held from Monday, June 13 through Friday, August 5, 2022.

The Summer Camp program focuses on education through recreation, team building and leadership, creativity and self-expression, physical fitness and decision-making. Camps are open to both city residents and non-city residents. 

In the Weekly Camps, children will participate in a variety of theme-related crafts and activities. The cost is $55 per week. A one-time activity fee of $55 is due upon registration for weekly camps.

Weekly camps are held from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. for children ages 5-12 (as of June 13) at the following parks:

• Greenview Park- 6700 David St., 803-754-5223
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Park- 2300 Greene St., 803-733-8452
• Woodland Park- 6500 Olde Knight Highway, 803-776-1096

The camp runs from June 13 to August 5, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The cost is $55 per week. A one-time activity fee of $55 is due upon registration.

Sports Camp

Children in ages 5-12 can participate in a summer Sports Camp held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 2300 Greene Street. The camp is held from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 13 to August 5. The cost is $55 per week. A one-time activity fee of $55 is due upon registration.

Tennis Camp

The Columbia Tennis Center located at 1635 Whaley Street, is hosting a summer Tennis Camp for children ages 6-14. The camp will focus on stroke production and techniques, drills, match competition and more.

The camp will be held on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:

July 11-15

July 25-29

The cost of the camp is $55 per week. Applications are available at the Columbia Tennis Center. Registrations will be taken until the first day of camp.

For more information, contact the Columbia Tennis Center at 803-733-8440.

Art Camp

Let your child explore their creative side through painting, drawing, pottery and more at the Art Center’s summer Art Camp. The camp will be held from June 6 through August 12 for ages 5-16. Sessions will be held at the Art Center, located at 1227 Taylor St., Ste. C. The camp costs $95 per session. Camp is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Registration is limited to 10 participants per session. 

Sessions for ages 5-9

Session 7: July 25-29: Medieval Fun

Session 8: August 1-5: Masked Celebration

Session for ages 5-11

Session 5: July 11-15: Imagination Station

Session for ages 9-15

Session 6: July 18-22: Swimming In Your Brain

Session for ages 10-16

Session 9: August 8-12: Pottery Explorations

For more information, contact the Art Center at 803-545-3093.

For more information about the Parks and Recreation Department’s summer programs, call 803-545-3100 or visit https://parksandrec.columbiasc.gov/online-registration/ to register online.

City’s Recreational Swim Season is Underway

The recreational swim season for the City of Columbia’s outdoor pools and splash pads/spray pools began Saturday, May 28, 2022, the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department announced.

Both Maxcy Gregg Pool and Greenview Pool opened from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on opening day (May 28) and from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 29. 

Both pools will be open for recreational swimming on the following holidays: Memorial Day (May 30), Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (Sept. 5) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The recreational swim season will remain open until Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day).

Pool Schedules

Maxcy Gregg Pool, 1655 Park Circle

Regular hours for recreational swimming are as follows:

·        Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

·        Fridays Closed for Maintenance 

·        Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·        Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Greenview Pool, 6700 David Street

Regular hours for recreational swimming are as follows:

·        Mondays Closed for Maintenance 

·        Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

·        Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·        Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

To accommodate all guests, visitors must observe a two-hour time limit in the pool and water play areas when the maximum capacity is reached. Guests will be given a color-coded wristband before entering the pool area.

The Columbia Parks & Recreation Department reserves the right to initiate a rotation at a minimum of every two hours.

Fees (both Maxcy Gregg and Greenview pools)

Per visit: $3 (ages 12 and under), $4 (ages 13 and over)

Season tickets (individuals): $80 (ages 12 and under), $120 (ages 13 and over)

Group passes (church, civic, camps, etc.): $100 (child), $140 (adults)

Splash Pad/Spray Pools Locations (Free and open to the public)

The following spray pools will be open from Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays:

• Lorick Park - 1600 Lorick Ave. 
• Pinehurst Park - 2300 Pinehurst Rd. 

The following spray pools will be open from Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. and will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays:

• Edisto Discovery Park - 1914 Wiley St. 
• Emily Douglas Park - 2500 Wheat St. 
• Heathwood Park - 800 Abelia Rd. 
•  Melrose Park - 1500 Fairview Rd. 
•  Sims Park - 3500 Duncan St.
•  St. Anna's Park - 1315 Liberty Hill Ave. 

The following spray pools will be available upon request:

• *Mays Park - 4100 Trenholm Rd.
• *Pacific Park - 200 Wayne St.

Drew Park splash pad located at 2101 Walker Solomon Way will operate the following hours:

• Monday-Saturday from 12-8 p.m.; Closed on Sundays

The spray pad at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Ave., and Roy Lynch Park, 900 Abbeville St., is user-operated and is available during the park’s operating hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

*Spray pools located at parks that are unmanned will be turned on and off by on-call recreation personnel upon request. Citizens are asked to call the Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to request the spray pools for a weekday or weekend event.

For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 803-545-3100 or visit www.columbiasc.gov.

City’s Misting Stations to Operate

During Summer Heat

The City of Columbia will operate misting stations in several of the City’s parks to help guests stay cool on days when the heat index reaches 90 degrees or higher.

Misting stations will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the following locations:

Misting Stations:

Granby Park, 100 Catawba St.

MLK Park, 2300 Greene St.

Owens Field Park, 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd.

Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St. and 4122 River Dr.

Rosewood Park, 901 South Holly St.

Southeast Park, 951 Hazlewood Rd.

For more information, call the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department at 803-545-3100.

Free Learn & Grow

Summer Gardening Camps

Outdoor Adventure with Park Rangers

Summer Kayak Camps

Spend a week on the water with our Park Rangers.

Join us for some Outdoor Adventure fun with the Park Rangers as they hold the Summer Kayak Camps!

See dates, time, location and info on how to register  .

Art Along The Trail Save The Date

Summer Drills & Skills Week 3

Locations for Week 3:

Frisbee at Hyatt Park, Lacrosse at Lorick Park, and Flag at Pinehurst.

For more information, call Parks & Recreation at 803-545-3100.

Hyatt Park's Game Night Mania

When: Friday, July 8

Where: Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Ave.

Time: 7pm

Stepping In Style

A Fashion Show featuring Models 50 & Over

The Columbia Police Department Foundation & Columbia Parks & Recreation Foundation Present 1st Police, Parks & Pedals Community Bicycle Initiative to Celebrate National Bicycle Safety Month

The Columbia Police Department Foundation and the Columbia Parks & Recreation Foundation have partnered with Academy Sports + Outdoors to hold the inaugural Police, Parks & Pedals Community Bicycle Initiative and rally event at Greenview Park on Saturday, May 21, 2022. May was National Bicycle Safety Month.

The Foundations, through their partnership with Academy Sports + Outdoors, provided new bicycles and helmets to selected students from the community in recognition of their academic achievement, who were selected based on a variety of academic criteria. The event concluded with a community bicycle rally through the Greenview neighborhood with the students and their parents, CPD officers, Foundation representatives, City of Columbia staff and members of the community.

Also in attendance for the event was Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia District One City Councilwoman Tina Herbert, Columbia Police Chief William Holbrook, Assistant City Manager Henry Simons and Richland County School District One representatives. 

SC Juneteenth Freedom Fest

2022 Community Leader Honoree

Congratulations to Dr. Germon Miller for being awarded the SC Juneteenth Freedom Fest Community Leader Honoree Award.

This award is given in recognition of your commitment and dedication to providing assistance to families, communities and society as a whole. As a TRAILBLAZER you are paving the way for others to know the true definition of what MY COMMUNITY's KEEPER truly means. 

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!