Saluda Shoals: The Next Level in Park Experiences
Jun 30, 2016 05:03PM ● By Odell Williams
The month of July is recognized nationally as Parks and Recreation Month, and countless individuals and families will honor the occasion by exploring and enjoying any number of great recreational sites located in and around the Midlands. South Carolina proudly offers some of the finest parks in the entire nation, visited by millions of residents and nonresidents alike. One of the “crown jewels” is Saluda Shoals Park, conveniently located at 5605 Bush River Road, in Columbia.
A key park in the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission recreational facilities portfolio, Saluda Shoals Park is an environmentally sensitive 400-acre riverfront park that invites visitors to experience the treasures of the Saluda River through exceptional environmental education, outdoor recreation and cultural activities. This ultramodern and innovative facility offers numerous exciting, fun and educational resources, such as a river observation deck; picnic areas; fishing, canoe, tube and kayak rentals; two boat launches; guided river trips; nature hikes; and other family programs. In addition, there are more than 10 miles of paved and natural trails that enable visitors to explore undeveloped forests. As an added treat, the 10-acre Saluda Shoals Wetland Preserve is an ecologically diverse environment designed to teach visitors about the importance of wetlands.
For younger children, the park also has a water playground called Saluda Splash. The Saluda Shoals staff also understands the significance and importance of pets as extended family members. So, in keeping with its mission to meet the recreational needs of the entire family (pets included), the park created the Barking Lot Dog Park, an off-leash dog park where members and their dogs come to play outdoors.
Saluda Shoals Park also offers some of the most innovative and state-of-the-art educational and meeting facility areas for public use. The Environmental Education Center is the hub for the environmental education program, and the River Center Conference facility—already used by numerous organizations and businesses—is the perfect place for meetings and social events. In addition, there are six picnic shelter/areas that can accommodate groups of 25 to 250 people. The park also offers wedding packages, as it is the perfect natural setting for making memorable picture-perfect moments!
The Saluda Shoals Foundation is the nonprofit organization that serves to support and protect Saluda Shoals Park through garnering financial support, fostering partnerships, supporting programs and raising community awareness. The Foundation is currently focused on raising funds to support the construction of Nature’s Theater, an outdoor performance venue in a casual setting where audiences and performing artists will connect to nature through art.
There are also several new and exciting developments at Saluda Shoals Park, including The Palmetto Health Fields—a six-field soccer/multiuse complex with restroom facilities and food and beverage concessions; The Courts—a 10-court tennis complex (six hydro courts and four hard-surface courts) with tennis pavilion and restrooms; a new, lower boat launch; and a new park entrance off St. Andrews Road with a connector road through to the other side of the park.
The Palmetto Health Fields has hosted several special events, including the Quidditch Cup 9, the NXT Lacrosse Tournament, the Extreme Air 5K and the Glo Run. In addition, the fields are used for youth and adult recreational soccer, flag football and lacrosse programs. The new facilities should be fully open in early August with the completion of the tennis complex.
With so much to offer the entire family, there is no doubt that a visit to Saluda Shoals Park will not only prove to be an unforgettable experience but will also become a new ongoing journey of learning, leisure, recreation and fun! Visit this summer season.
For more information, call 803-772-1228 or 803-213-2050 (on weekends only), or visit icrc.net/saluda-shoalspark. 
