Columbus is a charming city in the western-central region of Georgia. It was established in 1828 and was named after a prominent explorer, Christopher Columbus.
The city is positioned along the banks of the Chattahoochee River and is recognized as Georgia’s second-largest city.
Initially, the city thrived as a trading center and a central hub for the cotton sector. However, in the Civil War, it contributed significantly to manufacturing materials. This earned it the nickname “the Lowell of the South” due to its industrial importance.
The city offers numerous activities for visitors due to its diverse cultural background, fascinating art environments, and rich history. It also accommodates fine restaurants, shops, and entertainment centers to explore.
Additionally, the city offers numerous parks for everyone to enjoy. Many of these parks are family-friendly and provide diverse activities and outdoor recreational amenities that will keep you entertained and active.
Let’s explore the best parks in Columbus, GA.
Best Parks in Columbus, GA
1. Woodruff Riverfront Park
Woodruff Park is ideal for visitors seeking to host their event in a natural setting. Its lush green areas and vast open lands make it a perfect location for hosting large crowds.
This park can host events for about 1,000 guests. The Park has a playground and splash pad area for kids to enjoy.
Uptown Columbus maintains the splash pad. You can kayak along the river, bike, or run on the Park’s trail. However, if you do not want to engage in anything physical, there are benches where you can sit and relish the beautiful views of the area.
After you explore the Park, you can choose to check out the nearby shops and restaurants. Woodruff Riverfront Park is among the best parks in Columbus, GA.
Address: 1000 Bay Ave, Columbus, GA 31901, United States
2. Cooper Creek Park
Cooper Creek Park
Cooper Creek Park is situated along the shores of Cooper Creek Reservoir, 3 miles east of Columbus Airport and about 7 miles northeast of the heart of the city.
The Park offers numerous natural attractions, including a lake and diverse local fauna and flora. Thanks to its picnic amenities, it is an ideal place to enjoy picnicking with close friends or family.
In addition, the Park features fitness and walking trails, horseshoe courts, playgrounds, softball fields, and one of the country’s best clay court tennis facilities.
You can explore the area even more by going hiking or going fishing. A visit to Cooper Creek Park is worth it, and it promises the most unforgettable park experience.
Address: 4816 Milgen Rd. Columbus, GA 31901, United States
3. Lakebottom Park
Lakebottom Park
Lakebottom Park is situated in the center of Midtown. It is a popular park amongst citizens and even vacation travelers due to its numerous outdoor activities and amenities.
The Park features a complete running track and walking path that encircles it. There is also a standard baseball, football, softball, and soccer field.
Other amenities include basketball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, covered areas, grills, rental facilities, and ample parking areas for vehicle owners.
Aside from the few picnic tables available there, the Park features a vast, level grassy area ideal for enjoying a traditional picnic. Plenty of shaded areas are beneath the pine trees and along the banks of the nearby stream.
Address: 1505 Cherokee Ave, Columbus, GA 31901, United States
4. Britt David Park
Britt David Park is one of the top parks in Columbus, GA, as it offers a wide array of recreational amenities and activities for the enjoyment of citizens and travelers.
The amenities available within the Park include ½ asphalt walking path, sports fields, and outdoor seating facilities. In addition, The Park has a Cultural Art Studio that provides tutorials for painting, pottery, photography, and ceramics.
The scenic backdrop of Britt David Park makes it the perfect place for taking a convenient stroll, unwinding, and appreciating the natural environment.
Additionally, this Park features grassy areas, playgrounds with play structures, and picnic tables, making it an ideal destination to have fun with friends.
Address: 5560 Armour Rd. Columbus, GA 31901, United States
5. Double Churches Park
Like every other Park, Double Churches Park offers diverse recreational amenities and outdoor activities for people of all ages to enjoy. It is among the best parks in Columbus, GA.
This Park is a perfect place to host your family. It has a jungle gym with monkey bars, slides, swings, a wobbly bridge, and a swimming pool, usually open during summer.
All the play equipment in the Park is in excellent condition. The park grounds are also neatly kept and well-maintained.
In addition to its pool, Double Churches Park also has basketball courts, baseball diamonds, picnic tables, bathrooms for your convenience, and parking areas.
Address: 2300 Double Churches Rd, Columbus, GA 31909, United States
6. Fetch Park Columbus
Join this community of dog lovers that prioritizes safety by visiting the Fetch Park Columbus. This cutting-edge off-leash dog park and social hub has been showcased on the Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, Magnolia Network, Mercedes-Benz, GoDaddy, and many others.
Admission into this dog park is free for everyone, and you do not need to own a dog before you visit. There is a membership system designed exclusively for pups to ensure safety within the Park.
Admission into this dog park is available through a daily fee of 10$ and also through monthly and yearly memberships. Members can access all Fetch locations as part of their membership fees.
All dogs are to have current vaccinations on file and be sprayed if they are eight months or older. The Park is a lovely place to visit, and their staff are super friendly and welcoming.
Address: 1432 5th Ave, Columbus, GA 31901, United States
7. Rigdon Park
Another exciting park you should visit is Rigdon Park. It is a multipurpose facility with diverse, fun amenities that will keep you entertained and active throughout your stay.
Sports lovers will have a great time at this Park as it features diverse sports facilities for use, including a baseball field complex and a football field.
In addition to sports, Rigdon Park features a half-mile asphalt walking trail where visitors can go strolling to enjoy views of the Park. There is also a playground with a swing set.
Additionally, there is a leisure swimming pool with water slides in the Park. However, to maintain safety and tidiness in and around the pool area, there are stipulated rules to guide visitors. Rigdon Park is undoubtedly one of the fun parks in Columbus, GA.
Address: 1600 Howe Ave. Columbus, GA 31903, United States
8. Flat Rock Park
Flat Rock Park is considered one of the top parks in Columbus, GA, due to the many recreational amenities and activities it offers to people of all ages.
This place features a blend of wooded and open areas with varying elevations. It has a single set of tee pads, with each hole offering two baskets in play at each spot with three potential locations.
Flat Rock Park provides runners with a range of choices, including a loop located along the paved Road that encircles the Park’s boundary.
You can also explore the rocky area near Flat Rock Creek. The trails there are popular amongst mountain bikers.
The area has several pools for children to enter, including a playground with monkey bars and slides, a fishing lake, and picnic sites.
Address: 6106 Warm Springs Rd, Columbus, GA 31909, United States
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9. Dinglewood Park
Dinglewood Park is a beautiful place to be when you visit Columbus. Despite having fewer amenities, unlike other parks discussed earlier, it is still a perfect place for people to hang out.
The Park is an ideal place to enjoy a picnic with your loved ones and friends, and there are picnic benches and tables if you intend to bring lunch.
Besides its picnic amenities, Dinglewood Park features a disc golf course perfect for beginners, providing nine par three holes to play. Plenty of green areas also exist, and you can even bring your pets for a walk.
Nevertheless, Dinglewood Park is usually tranquil, making it a perfect place to enjoy a lonesome time and reflect on life happenings.
Address: 1660 13th St, Columbus, GA 31901, United States
10. Hemlock Park
If you are looking for someplace with less activity and crowd, then Hemlock Park is perfect. It is a beautiful and serene destination to meditate and reflect on life happenings.
Hemlock Park is famous for its natural beauty. It is connected to the Bibb City Riverwalk. The Park and this portion of the Riverwalk maintain a serene and quiet atmosphere.
The Park features a charming wooden covered bridge and concrete patio across the water where visitors can sit and relish the stunning views surrounding the area.
You can take a camera with you to snap beautiful pictures. Hemlock is indeed a hidden gem.
Address: 10 Beechwood Heights, Columbus, GA 31904, United States
11. Shirley Winston Park
Shirley Winston Park is a multipurpose establishment that provides diverse activities tailored for seniors, young adults, and youth. The Park has plenty of things, so endeavor to stop by.
The amenities available in the Park include a little league baseball field complex, a football field, a half-mile asphalt walking trail, and a 19,000 sq. foot recreation center.
The recreation center has a gymnasium weight room, kiddies’ activity room, aerobics room, complete kitchen, locker room, and game room. This center also offers rental services for hosting private meetings, sports events, reunions, and banquets.
Shirley Winston Park is open Monday to Friday between 11 am and 7 pm and Saturdays between 2 pm and 6 pm. It is closed on Sundays,
Address: 5025 Steam Mill Road, Columbus, GA 31907, United States
12. Columbus City Dog Park
Visiting the Columbus City Dog Park is a thrilling experience for everyone, not just your furry companions. The Park is located within the Clifty Wood at the intersection between Marr Road and Hollowell.
Columbus City Dog Park is an off-leash, fenced recreational venue where dogs of different sizes can play, run, and interact with other four-legged friends under the watch of their owners.
The Park features two distinct areas to accommodate small and large dogs, including a water station, a spacious shelter, shaded areas thanks to the trees, and picnic tables in case you bring a picnic lunch.
There are designated stations equipped with potty bags. Dog owners must clean up after their pets to ensure and promote a clean environment. The dog park is open from dawn until 11 pm from Mondays to Sundays.
Address: 3535 S Lumpkin Rd, Columbus, GA 31903, United States
13. The FreeNotes Harmony Park
The FreeNotes Harmony Park is located within the Woodruff Riverfront Park. The Park offers slides, climbing structures, a four-person saw, and large outdoor instruments.
Children aged 12 and below can discover various play zones and musical instruments for interactive play. There are many shades for parents to relax while their kids enjoy playtime.
The interactive playground is near the RiverWalk Splash Pad and opposite the Columbus Whitewater Express Shop along Bay Avenue. The Park’s environment is always kept clean and well-maintained.
Address: Columbus, GA 31901, United States
14. Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park
Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park is a 32,000-square-foot facility open throughout the week from 5 am to 11 pm. If you enjoy skating, this place should be a must-visit for you. It is one of the fun parks in Columbus, GA.
This cutting-edge skateboard facility was constructed in 2009 by the California Skatepark. It was designed to assist the progression of skateboarders from beginner to advanced stage. It is an ideal venue for skateboard tournaments.
The Skateboard Park offers diverse skate elements to cater to all skill levels. They include two angled rails, a small four set, an extensive six set, seven ledges, banks, and a small pocket “love seat” featuring dual steps arranged to allow diverse directional flow.
Address: E200 4th St, Columbus, GA 31901, United States
15. Florence Marina State Park
Florence Marina State Park
This tranquil Park, which spans 173 acres of land, is ideal for a day trip or extended stay, especially if you want water activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and boating.
The Native Americans formerly inhabited it. The Park’s natural deep-water marina features a renowned fishing pier, including a boat ramp and boat slips.
Inland, this Park houses several wooded walking trails, most providing opportunities for observing birds such as egrets, bald eagles, and herons.
For visitors planning an overnight stay, this Park offers numerous lodging choices that you can select from, such as its seven fully furnished cottages and eight compact efficient units.
The Park also has a modern campground with 41 tents, trailers, and RV campsites featuring two kiddies’ playgrounds.
Address: 218 Florence Rd, Omaha, GA 31821, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Columbus
The charming city of Columbus offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities, which you can explore by visiting its parks.
There are numerous opportunities for swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, photography, and others. Don’t hesitate to explore this city’s parks.