He paved parking lots + put up a paradise

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

📍 1 Vendue Range

💰 Admission: free

Features:

• Waterfront views
• Water taxi
• Walkways
• Splash fountains
• Free WiFi

🏞 J. Marshall Stith Park

📍 2050 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island

💰 Admission: free

Features:

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

🏞 SK8 Charleston

📍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

📍 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

📍 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

📍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

📍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