The Blythewood area lacks decent parks, but Doko is a very nice place with a very nice nature…read moretrail, nice restrooms, an excellent playground, a cafe in the rebuilt train station, an amphitheater for concerts, lots of open grass fields, a picturesque pond and a venue for special events. The annual July 4th event is the biggest in the area and is great for families. The park also features a farmer's market one day a week, and other events featuring food trucks and vendors. There is ample parking, picnic tables and a historic town hall. One event that is fun for the kids is the painted rock hunt. People have painted rocks and have scattered them throughout the area kids can pick them up as they see them, take pictures of them, and hide them for others to find. This is a great park!

Great place to enjoy the outdoor and relax. Went there for their Fourth of July celebration and was…read morevery impressed with the firework show that was displayed. Returned a week later to ride my bike. Great trails with an even prettier pond. Awesome job to whoever designed this park.

Impressed with the intentional use of space!…read more We made a day trip to Columbia, SC and needed to stretch our legs and burn some energy. Finlay Park offers a GREAT playground with slides, rope ladders, climbing limbs, splash pad, and turf slide. Plenty of room to relax or log a few steps. There is a beautiful water fountain, grotto and pond where they offer sailboat rentals . There is also 2 miles of sidewalk and pathways for walking or taking advantage of the roller skate rentals they offer. Not to mention pickleball courts, ping pong, soccer goals, and fitness court. A round of applause to the City of Columbia for this amazing recreational and public space.

This went from an unsafe blight on our city to a polished jewel. Our experience was beyond…read moreexpectation, tons of art and sculptures to gaze upon while visiting Finlay Park. Park rangers diligently worked cleaning the paths this morning. Several families were here soaking in the fun. Great park to for walking or to play on the pickle ball courts. Nice Sunday morning outing today !!!

One of my favorite parks in Columbia! I love the paved sidewalk around the park that can be…read moreutilized as a walking path to get some exercising via walking or jogging. There's a gazebo with one table which is nice. There are also two or three more picnic tables throughout the park. The smaller children's playground is a nice size, and then there's a playground for the older kids, both of which is a basic slide or two and a couple things to climb. There's also a zip line for the kids which is really cool. The swings are on another side of the area park. It's either baby swing or your normal big kid/adult swing. There's open field space. And then, another reason this park is so great is the splash pad for the kids. I will say the water pressure is not hitting on much this summer. I'm wondering what's up with that. However, we are grateful for the little sprinkle that we are receiving when the water shoots out. Even still, this is a nice and sometimes shaded park. Just be prepared for the splash pad. Also, it's street parking.

Really nice park in the downtown area. Equipment for kids of all ages. The park has a splash pad…read moreduring the summer. It has a really nice green space and a zip line. #hiddengem

In Columbia on business and needed to get out and exercise. I am so thankful to have found this…read moretrail on Yelp. It is a safe environment with plenty of people out walking, plus it's dog friendly. Beautiful scenery and homes along the trail and not to mention you're surrounded by water and the sound of the stream will keep you going. I did see a few people out riding bikes as well. I'm a biker myself, but didn't think that the trail was large enough for large groups on bikes. But then again, are most trails ever?? If you're in the area please do plan to check it out and go for a stroll. Parking is limited, but also available down the street.

It's such a beautiful park the paths are sidewalks so I could get thru with my wheelchair, the…read morecarvings are beautiful and the rest of the art on the walk is beautiful, it's the perfect park!

Pine Island State Park is beautiful, but we aren't sure if you could call it a state park. It's…read moremore like a city park or a recreational area. There are no actual hiking trails at Pine Island, but rather a sidewalk that goes along part of Lake Murray. They have multiple picnic tables (large enough areas to hold a birthday party or other event), benches, a miniature beach with kayaks, a playground, and a new and clean restroom. They do charge you a fee of about $6 or $3.50 depending on the age of the visitor(s). Pine Island has many amenities that most South Carolina state parks do not have, but once again does not feel like a state park. It would be nice if they construct an actual hiking trail.

Beautiful addition to SC state parks. Just know that it is a very small park and there aren't…read moretrails like other state parks. There is one paved walking path, but there are full grassy areas to walk around in the open sun, so it can get hot for a stroll. Plenty of covered picnic spots or swings to take in the beauty of Lake Murray.

Once again you cannot find a parking place. Even though there are posted signs not to park along…read morethe fence, towing enforced, people disregard the sign and all along the fence there are cars and trucks parked. This makes it cause a one lane road. I've never seen a car towed. This has always been a problem and no solutions have been made. The park people, whoever they are, sent out a message not to park along the fence, it has been ignored. I hope they work on a solution. I love watching the kids play and have this opportunity, however, they need to fix this issue. Why do we just all accept this mess and continue supporting the park?

Love this place. It's my go to track and area to get a great outdoor run and workout in. I didn't…read morerealize the trail was back there, which is not that long, but still nice. Also, great family areas here, and I've also seen some mommy groups doing workouts.

The park has a nice swimming area, with picnic shelters and grills. (You must bring your own…read morebriquettes etc). The water is clean and refreshing and lovely for swimming. Even though it was the weekend it was not too crowded. Parking is a bit tricky. Unless you have a reservation, you have to let them scan a QR code to your phone, and provide an email address so they can send a link to a payment portal. All of this pretty cumbersome, and the time it takes means that cars get backed up at the entrance. Add extra time for confusion if older people are trying to figure this out! Best to prepare by either having a digital native ready to take charge, or pay in advance. After all this is sorted, parking is easy and you can relax and have fun.

I spent a wonderful afternoon here. Parking does cost, however there is plenty of seating, grills,…read moreand swim areas. I especially loved the beautiful view of the lake! This is a great place for families, dates, or self care. The only downside was no dogs allowed.

If you are going to Riverbanks zoo, turn right instead of left and the parking lot will be at end…read moreroad on left. This is one alternative for runners/walkers until the Canal Riverwalk is reopened off of Huger St. There are three main parking lots with overflow spots on side of the road. The paved walkway is scenically right beside a flowing river. Walking down to the path from the main stairs going left or right is about 3.1 miles down and back or the entire path is 6.2ish give or take. Taking the path downstream is more sunny at spots and includes this "island" you can walk on over a man-made bridge. It is a popular spot for walkers, runners, dog walkers, strollers, photographers, kayakers, picnics, fishers, swimmers. There is a park ranger on duty in either the building on-site on roaming grounds in ATV. There is public restrooms; signage says no alcohol and that gate to parking lot closes at 9pm. The downstream path goes underneath the Riverbanks zoo sky buckets which is sort of cool. You cannot see or hear any zoo animals from the path. There is wildlife along trail in form of rabbits, squirrels, sometimes hawks near river. Either path you take it is mostly shaded not a lot of straightaways for runners. Either side has lot of twists and turns so have to keep head on swivel for walkers ahead. Two water fountains for adults, small children and pets. I usually park in main lots but may be additional parking further down road going upstream.

A great hike walk or run when traversing the trail that ends at Boyd island. You can see a few…read morefishermen early in the morning along with the runners. Plenty of deer and other wildlife to gaze upon while you experience the river walk. This is one of my favorite trails in Columbia well put together in my opinion. Free parking and bathrooms at the start by the entrance.