Although all of our parks are special in one way or another, some of them have truly unique features. These specialty parks are scattered throughout our city, and are attractions for very specific populations with very specific interests.
Boyd Plaza
1505 Main Street
Renovated in 2019, Boyd Plaza is a welcoming urban retreat along Main Street, featuring ample seating, shaded areas, and thoughtfully designed landscaping and fountains that create a peaceful place to pause during a busy day downtown. Made possible through a generous gift from The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Inc., the plaza offers an ideal outdoor space to gather, relax, and recharge.
Boyd Plaza also serves as a vibrant setting for community connection, providing an exceptional venue for arts and cultural activities that bring people together.
Doggie Park
110 Humane Lane
Doggie Park is a special open space just for dogs. Water is available as well as some plastic lawn furniture to chew on! It is for “members only” and requires a yearly registration fee of $36. For more information on this park and how to become a member, contact Tina Heckman at 803-608-0577.
Esplanade at Canal Side
618 Canalside Street
Lincoln Street Tunnel
1300 Lincoln Street
The Lincoln Street Tunnel, constructed beginning in 1899, was originally part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, connecting the rail terminal near Sidney Park (now Finlay Park) with a downtown passenger station and extending across the Congaree River, helping link Columbia to the broader Southeast rail network. When rail traffic was rerouted in 1991, the tunnel was closed and the tracks removed. In the early 2010s, the City transformed the former rail corridor, including the tunnel, into the first phase of the Vista Greenway, creating a pedestrian and bicycle pathway that celebrates the city’s railroad heritage while connecting key parts of the Vista district.
NOMA Bark Park
1002 Recreation Drive
NOMA Bark Park is Columbia’s newest dog park. It is located along North Main Street (NOMA) at Earlewood Park. With easy access from surrounding neighborhoods, the park provides opportunities to play and socialize for dogs and owners alike. Amenities include resting benches, water fountains, shade trees and convenient pet-waste disposal stations – as well as separate small dog and large dog play areas.
Membership is $25 per year per dog. Dogs are required to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. A current pet license is required for Columbia and Richland County residents. Otherwise, proof from the veterinarian of current vaccinations and spay/neuter must be provided.
Download your membership application at NoMa Bark Park and send it in with your check and proof of spay/neuter and vaccinations. If you are a City/County resident, you need to send in a copy of your pet’s license.
Owens Field Skate Park
1351 Jim Hamilton Boulevard
Owens Field is one of the most unique parks in the City of Columbia. This park provides an opportunity for recreational experience for those interested in baseball, soccer, rugby and skateboarding. This park provides multi-purpose usage for athletic events and is a great place to host tournaments of all types. The park is also home to the Miracle League field and boundless playground. A Miracle League field is a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that allows children with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to safely play baseball.
Vista Greenway Extension
841 Taylor Street
