Neighborhood Recreation Centers are nestled in various neighborhoods throughout the City of Columbia to cater to the families that reside within each community. The centers consist of about 1500-2400 square feet of space, each including a multi-purpose room, kitchen, and restroom facilities. The centers also have an outdoor area, which includes a playground, spray pool, basketball court, tennis court, ball fields and more. Afterschool care is available from 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at our neighborhood centers, and students enrolled in after school camps are provided with snacks, homework assistance and a variety of supervised activities.
Edisto Discovery Park
1914 Wiley Street
(803) 255-8103
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
South Edisto Discovery Park is our newest facility that was built in 2009. It is the home of our Fossil Dig, which is an educational program designed to teach youth about Pre-historic fossils and dinosaurs. The playground and spray pool are handicap accessible. The indoor facility offers large open space for multipurpose use. It is equipped with computers and WIFI capabilities.
Emily Douglas Park
2500 Wheat Street
(803) 733-8531
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
Emily Douglas Park is in the heart of Shandon. It is a bowl-shaped park; the many pine trees cast a lot of shade into the park. It has swings and three play sets. There is plenty of sand for digging and playing. There is a spray pool that is operated during the summer months. The park also features an amphitheater that the community fondly enjoys during the summer evening movies in the park.
Emily Douglas Park’s neighborhood center offers programs such as summer camps. The indoor facility offers a large open space for multipurpose use. It is equipped with computers and Wi-Fi capabilities. The park is handicapped accessible. The neighborhood center is open Monday through Friday, 2-6:00 p.m.
Hampton Park
1117 Brandon Avenue
(803) 695-5207
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
Hampton Park is located in the Brandon Acres and Cedar Terrace communities located off Garners Ferry Road and West of Interstate I-77. The park has a pond, two tennis courts, youth baseball field, full size basketball court and a spray pool. The facility has a sun porch for a relaxing outdoor experience with lots of shade.The facility is heavily used to house our summer camp and after school programs.
Heathwood Park
800 Abelia Road
(803) 733-8446
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
Heathwood Park is in the Heathwood neighborhood, on Abelia Rd. close to Beltline. Heathwood Park has a neighborhood center, tennis court, handball court, picnic shelter and a spray pool. The play equipment is great, not only is there your typical climbing structures and swings, but also sand digging toys, small spin-around ride-ons and springy seesaws.
Off-street parking, water, and restrooms are available. The center is open from 2-6 p.m. weekdays. The spray pool is usually on during the day in the summer.
Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center
2611 Grant Street
803-255-8161
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
The Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center focuses on the diverse cultures within our community with emphasis on education, recreation and cultural enrichment. This is a one-stop source for job training, education, recreation, counseling and other supportive services. The center is located at 2611 Grant Street and features a multi-purpose room, classrooms, dance room, a computer room and a Community Resource Center where local small businesses and non-profits can secure space to conduct business and grow their organization.
Melrose Park
1500 Fairview Drive
(803) 733-8493
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
This lovely park is well hidden in a pleasant neighborhood full of well-maintained older homes. It is a peaceful park that has been beautifully landscaped. It is enclosed by a metal and stone fence and landscape bushes. There are restrooms in the neighborhood center and water fountains are available. The community center offers access to computers with Internet access. The center is open from 2-6:00 p.m. weekdays.
Sims Park
3500 Duncan Street
(803) 733-8451
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Rental Only
Sims Park has a spray pool, a neighborhood center, play area, and picnic shelter. There is also a basketball court. The playground is partially shaded and well maintained. There are bathrooms and water fountains in the neighborhood center. The neighborhood center offers access to computers with Internet access. The center is open from 2-6:00 p.m. weekdays. This park has a police substation located in it.
