Rangers Tony Brazel (l), Ed Vincent, and Andy Grizzell use bicycles in the park. The many recreational activities at Columbia Riverfront Park… jogging, biking, walking, picnicking, hiking, fishing, birding… are enjoyed amid the rich background of plants suggestive of a botanical garden. The 167–acre park runs between the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River and is home to the city’s original waterworks and hydroelectric power plant.

Plant enthusiasts will want to linger to identify and photograph the many unusual specimens. The east side of the canal is a fragrant corridor of banana shrubs, variegated gardenias, and tea olives. Park ranger and horticulturist, Tony Brazel, believes the public should be excited by the look and feel of a park. Public areas like Riverfront are important in encouraging folks to move to and invest in the downtown.

Brazel grows many of the park plants in his personal nursery but also receives specimens from a who’s who of Columbia horticulturists: Bob Stansill of Midlands Tech, Amy Bledsoe of the City’s Forestry and Beautification, Rebekah Cline of Rebekah’s Garden, Bobby Garrison of Pontiac, and Riverbanks Zoo.

Variegated gardenia and banana shrubs give long–term fragrance to the east Canal. Riverfront Park is part of Columbia’s Greenway which includes Granby Park and the outdoor plantings at EdVenture. Brazel aims toward wild and crazy colors and shapes in plant selection around EdVenture. Neon vincas, gigantic elephant ears, zebra miscanthus grass, black–eye Susan, red hibiscus, orange zinnia linearis, and Mexican sage create a festive focus for summer. Fall and winter plantings will include pansies, kales, and cabbages.

As with any garden, private or public, aftercare is the hardest part. Keeping up with the pruning, irrigation, and fertilization is time consuming but necessary. Due to repeated shaping of the hollies at EdVenture, the conical trees will be covered with red berries this year.

One of the mystery plants at the park with yellow flowers and red seedpods. Riverfront Park has a fall schedule of outdoor programs including storytelling for families, river fishing day, lectures on the cultural and natural history of the Columbia Canal, and a celebration of the winter solstice in December. Details and dates of programs are available at www.columbia sc.net/parksandrec/214
Soil Sample Sculpture
Tony Brazel, park ranger, selects wild and crazy colors and shapes for the EdVenture gardens.
Butterfly brunfelsia is a tropical plant with a flower resembling a butterfly.
The courtyard is rented for special occasions like weddings.