The man behind Charleston’s most visited park

Waterfront Park is easily one of the most iconic places in downtown Charleston– but that wasn’t always the case. Back in the 1970s, the land was nothing more than a mass of burned out wharves + gravel parking lots that happened to be located on the waterfront.

Enter: former Mayor Joe Riley. Shortly after taking office in 1975, Mayor Riley made it his mission to transform the park. And transform it, he did. By 1980, the city had broken ground on the revitalization project. By 1990, the park was open to the public.

And this year, in 2018, officially renamed the park to Joe Riley Waterfront Park– in honor of the man who made it what it is.

The park has come a long way since the 70’s– and now, it’s set to receive another radical facelift. Later this year, the city will begin work on expanding its riverwalk by approximately 400 feet. By 2021, the dock will no longer house a drop-off area for a single water taxi, but an entire marina facility for the water taxi + the public. Eventually, a hotel will directly connect to the park.

In honor of the former mayor’s dedication to public parks, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite parks around Charleston.

🏞 Joe Riley Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park | Image by @iputmynamehere

📍 1 Vendue Range

💰 Admission: free

Features:

Waterfront views
Water taxi
Walkways
Splash fountains
Free WiFi

🏞 J. Marshall Stith Park

J. Marshall Stith Park | Image by @bethandthebears

📍 2050 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island

💰 Admission: free

Features:

Portable toilets
Tennis, volleyball, + basketball courts
Walking paths
Playground
Picnic tables + shelters

🏞 SK8 Charleston

SK8 Charleston | Image by @jay_calloway_nc

📍1549 Oceanic St., Downtown

💰Admission: $1 spectators, $3 skaters/BMX

Features

Both a pro + an intermediate bowl
Street course spanning 315 ft.
Helmets (which are required) available for rent
Skate shop
Concessions
Covered + uncovered seating

🏞 Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Kiawah Beachwalker Park | Image by @kellyeleo

📍 8 Beachwalker Dr., Kiawah Island

💰Admission: free, plus the cost of parking

Features

Dressing area
Picnic area with grills
Restrooms
Seasonal: outdoor showers, umbrella + beach chair rentals, lifeguards on duty

🏞 Palmetto Islands County Park

Palmetto Islands County Park | Image by @betweenthesoundmachine + @charlestonscene

📍 444 Needlerush Pkwy., Mount Pleasant

💰 Admission: $2 per person

Features:

Nature island
50-ft. observation tower with play area
Fishing + crabbing dock
Nature trails
Playground
Kayak launch
Sand volleyball court
Seasonal: Splash Island Waterpark, bike + pedal boat rentals, covered picnic shelters

🏞 Johns Island County Park

📍2662 Mullet Hall Rd., Johns Island

💰Admission: $1

Features:

Equestrian center
Archery range
Nature trails

🏞 James Island County Park

James Island County Park | Image by @brandonwilson88 + @katiemclellan96

📍871 Riverland Dr., James Island

💰Admission: $2

Features:

Saltwater fishing + crabbing
Paved trails
Picnic tables + grills
Dog park
Sand volleyball court
Campground
Disc golf
Bicycle, pedal boat, + kayak rentals
Covered shelters
Climbing wall
Seasonal: Splash Zone Waterpark

🏞 Azalea Park

📍105 W. 5th S. St., Summerville

💰Admission: Free

Features:

Landscaped gardens
Paths
Amphitheater
Wetland
Picnic tables

🏞 North Charleston Wannamaker County Park

Wannamaker County Park | Image by @scout_in_the_lowcountry

📍8888 University Blvd., North Charleston

💰Admission: $2

Features:

Woodlands + wetlands
2 playgrounds
Disc golf course
Dog park
Paved trails
Snack bar, shaded porch
Restrooms
Picnic tables + grills
Sand volleyball court
Seasonal: Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark

🏞 Hampton Park

📍30 Mary Murray Dr.

💰Admission: free

Features:

Restrooms
Picnic tables
Playground
Trails

🏞 Northbridge Park

📍Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (at the base of the North Bridge)

💰Admission: free

Features:

Pier + dock
Canoe + kayak launch
Picnic area

In honor of National Arbor Day, here are a few more parks worth exploring:

🌳 Governor’s Park | Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island

🌳 Riverland Terrace | Off Plymouth St., James Island

🌳 Dogwood Park | 460 Liberty Hall Rd., Goose Creek

🌳 Folly Beach County Park | 1100 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach

🌳 Isle of Palms County Park | 1- 14th Ave., Isle of Palms

🌳 Old Santee Canal Park | 900 Stony Landing Rd., Moncks Corner

🌳 Laurel Hill County Park | 1251 Park West Blvd., Mt. Pleasant

Want to learn more about all that our parks have to offer? Click here to browse our guide to Charleston’s best running trails, or head over here to read our guide on where to find public WiFi. Last but not least, click here to learn more about all of downtown Charleston’s pocket parks.

–Jen, Multimedia Producer