Riverfront Park + Historic Columbia Canal

Master Plan & Park Design / Columbia, SC

Over a period of 4 years, Waterfield Design personnel worked closely with the City of Columbia to create a park and open space master plan for 1,000 acres of downtown historic riverfront land. The resulting plan created an urban Visitors Center and Canal Heritage Park while also creating a large network of access points and nature pathways (tactfully) throughout the 1,000 acre wildlife refuge.

This 167-acre park was the site of the original waterworks for the City of Columbia. This was also the site of the world's first electrically operated textile mill and the hydroelectric plant, the oldest one in the state, is still operating. A popular jogging/ walking trail runs two and one half miles along the linear park and offers wonderful views of the river. There is also a beautiful brick amphitheater as well as a self guided walkway by the old parts of the water plant.

The park hosts several events annually such as Riverfest, Greekfest and several smaller concerts.