Columbia, South Carolina
By Robin Tierney
Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, beckons "come" to dog lovers with dozens of memorable places to stroll amid beauty and peace. All will make you smile, and one may also make you cry.
With so many choices, let's leash up Fido and get right to it.
Among the nation's best, yet lesser-known, greenway networks, its 12-plus miles of trails edge the Broad, Congaree and Saluda Rivers in the neighboring cities of Columbia, West Columbia and Cayce.
What makes these pathways worth the trip? For starters, their superb trail design, building and upkeep guarantees joyful meanders along curving tree-shaded routes overlooking rapids, eddies and riffles. Bonuses include classic lampposts for safe after-dark wanders, outdoor amphitheaters presenting free concerts, city skyline views and dog-friendly and ADA accessible features.
Highlights include Boyd Island Sanctuary at the east end of the Saluda Riverwalk, complete with locally crafted benches and a spider lily-shaped pavillion...a thundering mini-Niagara Falls of a dam and Spanish moss-draped trees on the historic canal's levee path…and cool covered bridges gracing the Cayce Riverwalk.
Newly revamped Finlay Park treats you to sensational surprises.
This 14-acre downtown free-admission park enchants with its colossal spiral fountain, pond dotted with delightful animal sculptures, cascading streams and dramatic waterfall found along wide, paved and intriguing curved trails. A stage (check for performances!) and in warm weather, a splash pad ramp up the fun. Fringe benefits: hilltop picnic spots, fitness equipment and the enclosed dog park.
