Portions of Riverfront Park in Columbia to close for construction

Portions of Riverfront Park will be closed for six months beginning today, June 2, for the construction of new water plant intakes.

Contractors for the city of Columbia Water department plan to close a section of the Riverfront Park trail for construction of a new water intake on the Broad River, according to a news release. The work will include installation of barges in the canal and construction of a cofferdam in the river. The areas affected are downstream of the Interstate 26 bridge and railroad trestle, the release stated.

The trails at the north end of the park (4122 River Drive) and the south end of the park (312 Laurel St.) will remain open during this time, but visitors will not be able to travel the entire length of the canal, the release stated.

The south end restrooms, the historic waterworks and the grassy amphitheater will all be accessible during this closure, according to the release

The Columbia Parks & Recreation Department encourages visitors to explore the nearby Saluda Riverwalk, 650 Candi Lane or Granby Park and 100 Catawba St. as alternatives.

Click here to learn more about the Resilient Water Supply project and other canal repair efforts.