From kudzu to kayaking
Story and photo by
Mike Maddock
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The cities of Columbia, Cayce, and West Columbia are not necessarily known for water sports, unless you count searching for a golf ball in a water hazard or trying to navigate between the flooded streets of Harden and Saluda after a heavy rain. That perception is changing thanks to the River Alliance and the Three Rivers Greenway.
The River Alliance is a collection of government officials, business leaders, and concerned citizens sharing the mission to "connect people to the rivers, making the rivers accessible but protected, and bringing the rivers back into the daily lives of area residents and visitors."
There was a time not long ago when the banks of the three rivers (Saluda, Broad, and Congaree) converging between downtown Columbia, Cayce, and West Columbia weren't much more than kudzu fields and dumping grounds. The rapids behind the zoo provided entertainment for those adventurous high schoolers and others willing to hike through the woods and out onto the rocks. But that was about it.
Now locals and visitors alike can enjoy five walkways and parks and look forward to two more areas opening soon.
The Three Rivers Greenway is creating a desirable environment for development as well. The Olympia and Granby Mills located near Granby Park are being converted to condominiums, and USC is developing plans for a new baseball stadium. The old prison property is going to be redeveloped to include commercial areas and 750 single and multi-family residences.
The following is a brief description of the amenities available now and
in the future as compiled from the River Alliance website http://www.riveralliance.org.
Three Rivers Greenway
Now Open
A) Granby Park
+ 12-mile river park connects the cities of Columbia, West Columbia, and Cayce as well as Richland and Lexington Counties.
+ Public access to the Congaree, Saluda and Broad Rivers.
+ Dog friendly park.
+ Bridges, boardwalks, overlooks, and half-mile of lighted central paths.
+ One-half mile of off path trails for mountain bikes and runners.
B) Cayce Riverwalk and Cayce Riverwalk Extension
+ 37 acres
+ Dog friendly.
+ Bridges, boardwalks, overlooks, bank fishing, and one and a half miles of lighted central paths.
C) West Columbia Riverwalk
+ 4.5 acres
+ Half-mile path.
+ Provides true residential river front next to the New Brookland Mill Village and Guignard neighborhoods.
+ Amphitheater for concerts and events.
+ Canoe landing.
D) Canal Embankment
+ Three plus miles of added Greenway
+ Another mile of entirely new trail is on the Broad River.
+ Lights, Call Boxes and a "Lockkeepers Home" are included.
+ Bike lane and a running trail.
E) Mill Villages Riverlink
+ Stretches through USC campus, into the city of Columbia, across a Richland County Recreation Commission park, back into the City.
+ Dog friendly.
+ Boardwalks, overlooks, and one and a half miles of lighted central paths.
Coming Soon!
F) West Columbia Riverwalk Extension
G) Congaree Riverwalk
+ 20 acres
+ Explore portions of the historic Columbia Canal.
+ River paddle sport landing.
+ One mile of lighted central paths.
+ Running and mountain bike trails.
+ Amphitheater
H) Cayce Riverwalk
+ Will make the southern point of the Cayce Riverwalk approximately a mile farther.
To learn more about the River Alliance and the Three Rivers Greenway visit http://www.riveralliance.org.
