Columbia, South Carolina – The Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Columbia has announced that the north part of Riverfront Park at 4122 River Drive will stay closed for the time being. The decision comes as large-scale infrastructure work continues across the area, with several critical projects taking place along the canal and nearby waterways.
The closure is necessary for the continuing construction of the Lower Crane Creek Storage Facility and Pump Station and the Columbia Resilient Water Supply project. Both of these things are important for making the city’s water infrastructure stronger in the long run. As soon as those projects are finished, crews are supposed to start fixing the canal head gates again. Those repairs, officials say, will further reinforce the site and extend the life of the park’s surrounding systems.
City authorities say that the work will take time, but the changes are meant to make sure that water delivery is reliable and that the environment is better protected for years to come. Residents and visitors are asked to use other local recreation areas until the renovation is done.
The Saluda Riverwalk at 650 Candi Lane, Granby Park at 100 Catawba Street, and the south entrance of Riverfront Park at 312 Laurel Street are just a few of the options that have been brought up. The south entrance is still open and gives people access to facilities, scenic viewpoints, picnic spaces, and a half-mile path that runs along the historic Columbia Canal.
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The department stressed how much it appreciated the public’s help during this time of construction. The administration says that these repairs are a big investment in Columbia’s parks and water systems. The closure is a challenge, but in the end, our community will have better infrastructure and better park experiences.
There is no definite date for when the north part of Riverfront Park will reopen, and the closure will be in place until further notice. The city’s official water project website is where people can get the latest news about the Columbia Canal repair and other work that is going on.
For now, visitors to the park are invited to enjoy the open green spaces and riverfront trails that are still available. The city is currently working to protect one of Columbia’s most important natural and recreational assets for the future.
