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==Parks and recreation== [[File:FinlayPark.jpg|thumb|[[Finlay Park]]]] [[Finlay Park]] has hosted events from festivals and political rallies to road races and Easter Sunrise services. This {{convert|18|acre|m2|adj=on}} park has had two lives; first dedicated in 1859 as Sidney Park, named in honor of Algernon Sidney Johnson, a Columbia City Councilman, the park experienced an illustrious but short tenure. The park fell into disrepair after the Civil War and served as a site for commercial ventures until the late 20th century. In 1990, the park was reopened. It serves as the site for such events as Kids Day, The Summer Concert Series, plus many more activities. In 1992, the park was renamed Finlay Park, in honor of Kirkman Finlay, by former mayor of Columbia, [[T. Patton Adams]], who had a vision to reenergize the historic Congaree Vista district, between Main Street and the river, and recreate the site that was formerly known as Sidney Park. In 2023, the city broke ground on a $24 million redesign of the park which will include a rebuilt central fountain, a new band stage, public art, enhanced lawn areas, and new amenities such as strolling gardens and an overlook plaza.<ref>[https://columbiasc.gov/city-of-columbia-holds-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-finlay-park-revitalization/ City of Columbia Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Finlay Park Revitalization] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327224839/https://columbiasc.gov/city-of-columbia-holds-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-finlay-park-revitalization/ |date=March 27, 2024 }}. City of Columbia, SC Retrieved on 2024-03-27.</ref> [[File:Memorial Park.jpg|thumb|right|Memorial Park]] [[File:Giraffe_being_fed_at_Riverbanks_Zoo.JPG|thumb|right|[[Riverbanks Zoo & Garden]]]] [[File:A548,_Congaree_National_Park,_South_Carolina,_USA,_2012.jpg|thumb|right|[[Congaree National Park]] swamp boardwalk]] Memorial Park is a {{convert|4|acre|m2|adj=on}} tract of land in the Congaree Vista between Main Street and the river. The property is bordered by Hampton, Gadsden, Washington, and Wayne Streets and is one block south of Finlay Park. This park was created to serve as a memorial to those who served their country and presently has monuments honoring the [[USS Columbia]] warship and those that served with her during [[World War II]], the China-Burma-India Theater Veterans of WWII, casualties of the [[Pearl Harbor]] attack of December 7, 1941, who were from South Carolina, [[Holocaust survivors]] who live in South Carolina as well as concentration camp liberators from South Carolina, and the State [[Vietnam War]] Veterans. The park was dedicated in November 1986 along with the unveiling of the South Carolina Vietnam Monument. In June 2000, the [[Korean War]] Memorial was dedicated at Memorial Park. In November 2014, Columbia native and resident of Boston, Henry Crede, gave a bronze statue and plaza in the park dedicated to his WWII comrades who served in the Navy from South Carolina. Granby Park opened in November 1998 as a gateway to the rivers of Columbia, adding another access to the many river activities available to residents. Granby is part of the Three Rivers Greenway, a system of green spaces along the banks of the rivers in Columbia, adding another piece to the long-range plan and eventually connecting to the existing Riverfront Park. Granby is a {{convert|24|acre|m2|adj=on}} linear park with canoe access points, fishing spots, bridges, and {{cvt|1/2|mi}} of nature trail along the banks of the Congaree River. In the Five Points district of downtown Columbia is the park dedicated to the legacy and memory of civil rights leader, [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] Formerly known as Valley Park, it was renamed in the late 1980s. The park features a water sculpture and a community center. An integral element of the park is the Stone of Hope monument, unveiled in January 1996. The monument is inscribed with a portion of King's 1964 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] acceptance speech: "History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued that self-defeating path of hate. Love is the key to the solutions of the problems of the world." One of Columbia's greatest assets is [[Riverbanks Zoo|Riverbanks Zoo & Garden]]. Riverbanks Zoo is a sanctuary for more than 2,000 animals housed in natural habitat exhibits along the Saluda River. Just across the river, the {{convert|70|acre|m2|adj=on}} botanical garden is devoted to gardens, woodlands, plant collections, and historic ruins. Riverbanks has been named one of America's best zoos<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=121304064644348&z_Issue_ID=11022406083121686&ShowArchiveArticle_ID=11010207083019536|title=Archives β America's Best Zoos |work=Metro Spirit|access-date=September 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923164859/http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=121304064644348|archive-date=September 23, 2010}}</ref> and the No. 1 travel attraction in the Southeast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lex-co.com/departments/Finance/Documents/CAFR2002.pdf|title=Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305041236/http://www.lex-co.com/departments/Finance/Documents/CAFR2002.pdf|archive-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> It attracted over one million visitors in 2009.<ref>Holleman, Joey. (January 16, 2010) [http://www.thestate.com/2010/01/16/1112673/zoo-attracts-more-than-a-million.html Zoo attracts more than a million visitors in '09 β Local / Metro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323183025/http://www.thestate.com/2010/01/16/1112673/zoo-attracts-more-than-a-million.html |date=March 23, 2010 }}. TheState.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-29.</ref> Situated along the meandering Congaree River in central South Carolina, [[Congaree National Park]] is home to champion trees, primeval forest landscapes, and diverse plant and animal life. This {{convert|22200|acre|km2|0|adj=on}} park protects the largest contiguous tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. The park is an international [[biosphere reserve]]. Known for its giant hardwoods and towering pines, the park's floodplain forest includes one of the highest canopies in the world and some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States. Congaree National Park provides a sanctuary for plants and animals, a research site for scientists, and a place to walk and relax in a tranquil wilderness setting. [[Sesquicentennial State Park]] is a {{convert|1419|acre|km2|0|adj=on}} park, featuring a {{convert|30|acre|m2|adj=on}} lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. The park's proximity to downtown Columbia and three major interstate highways attracts both local residents and travelers. Sesquicentennial is often the site of family reunions and group campouts. Interpretive nature programs are a major attraction to the park. The park also contains a two-story log house, dating back to the mid 18th century, which was relocated to the park in 1969. This house is believed to be the oldest building still standing in Richland County. The park was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Evidence of their craftsmanship is still present today. In November 1996, the River Alliance proposed that a {{convert|12|mi|km|0|adj=on}} linear park system be created to link people to their rivers. This was named the Three Rivers Greenway, and the $18 million estimated cost was agreed to by member governments (the cities of [[Cayce, South Carolina|Cayce]], Columbia, and [[West Columbia, South Carolina|West Columbia]]) with the proviso that the Alliance recommend an acceptable funding strategy. While the funding process was underway, an existing city of Columbia site located on the [[Congaree River]] offered an opportunity to be a pilot project for the Three Rivers Greenway. The Alliance was asked to design and permit for construction by a general contractor this component. This approximately one-half-mile segment of the system was opened in November 1998. It is complete with {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=on}} wide concrete pathways, vandal-proof lighting, trash receptacles, water fountains, picnic benches, overlooks, bank fishing access, canoe/kayak access, a public restroom and parking. These set the standards for the common elements in the rest of the system. Eventually, pathways will run from Granby to the Riverbanks Zoo. Boaters, sportspeople, and fisherpeople will have access to the area, and additional recreational uses are being planned along the miles of riverfront. [[File:EsplanadeatCanalside.jpg|thumb|right|Esplanade at [[Columbia Canal]]]] [[File:Lake Murray B0078.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lake Murray (South Carolina)|Lake Murray Dam]]]] Running beside the historic [[Columbia Canal]], Riverfront Park hosts a two and a half-mile trail. Spanning the canal is an old railway bridge that now is a pedestrian walkway. The park is used for walking, running, bicycling, and fishing. [[Picnic table]]s and benches dot the walking trail. Markers are located along the trail so that visitors can measure distance. The park is part of the Palmetto Trail, a hiking and biking trail that stretches the entire length of the state, from [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]] to [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]. Other parks in the Columbia area include: *[[W. Gordon Belser Arboretum]] *Maxcy Gregg Park *Hyatt Park *Earlewood Park *Granby Park *Owens Field Park *Guignard Park *Southeast Park *[[Harbison State Forest]]
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