Sesquicentennial State Park

{{Infobox park

| name = Sesquicentennial State Park

| alt_name =

| photo = Sesquicentennial-park-front-gate.jpg

| photo_width = frameless

| photo_caption =

| photo_alt =

| coords = {{coord|34.0880458|N|80.9041817|W|region:US-SC_scale:1000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| type =

| location =

| nearest_city = Columbia, SC

| area = {{convert|1419|acre|km2}}

| elevation =

| created = 1937

| designer =

| etymology =

| operator =

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| visitation_ref =

| status =

| open =

| camp_sites = Regular campgrounds and RV sites

| hiking_trails = {{hlist|Sandhills Hiking trail|Jackson Creek Nature trail|Loop Road trail|Sesqui Mountain Bike trail}}{{cite web |title=Sesqui Trails |url=https://southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui/trails |website=South Carolina Parks |publisher=South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism |access-date=7 October 2021}}

| other_info = Features include hiking trails, bicycling trails, softball field, splash pad, fishing, meeting facilities, dog park, and various styled boat rentals.

| website = https://southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui

}}

Sesquicentennial State Park, commonly referred to as "Sesqui" (/sɛskwɪ/), is a state park located in the Sandhills region of South Carolina. The park covers 1,419 acres (5.74 km²) and is situated approximately 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

History

The park was established due to Columbia's Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1936. The Sesquicentennial Commission used surplus funds to purchase 1,445 acres of land in 1937. This land was transferred to the Commission of Forestry, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company #4469 was assigned to develop the park.{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=Kaley |last2=Gilbert |first2=Stephanie |last3=Harwell |first3=Justin |last4=Horecny |first4=Zoie |last5=Hull |first5=Maclane |last6=Lyle |first6=Kira |last7=Marodin |first7=Helen |last8=Melton |first8=Jennifer |last9=Patton |first9=Hannah |last10=RAmsey |first10=Ragan |last11=Schoen |first11=Kate |last12=Todd |first12=Carlie |last13=Weaver |first13=Paige |date=2019 |title=A Layered History: Interpreting Cultural Resources at Sesquicentennial State Park |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=pubhist_books |journal=University of South Carolina}} They would build many of the park's buildings, as well as the stone entrance.{{Cite web|title=Sesqui History & Interpretation|url=https://southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui/history-and-interpretation|access-date=2021-10-20|website=southcarolinaparks.com|publisher=South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism|language=en}}

Amenities

The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including three picnic shelters, four picnic pads, and 84 campsites. Visitors have access to rental services for fishing boats, paddle boats, standup paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. The park grants fishing access to a 30-acre (12 ha) lake within the park. The park also includes 12 miles (19 km) of trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Key trails within the park include the Sandhills hiking trail, a two-mile (3.2 km) ADA-accessible loop around the lake, and the Sesqui Mountain Bike Trail, which covers 6.5 miles (10.5 km) of terrain with varying elevation and sandy conditions.

Additional facilities at the park consist of a splash pad, which is closed during the winter months, and a dog park.

References

External links

[http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/469.aspx Park Finder site]
[http://sciway3.net/outdoors/park-sesqui.html SCIway site]

Category:State parks of South Carolina

Category:Protected areas of Richland County, South Carolina

Category:Geography of Columbia, South Carolina

Category:Dog parks in the United States

Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in South Carolina

Category:Tourist attractions in Columbia, South Carolina

Category:Protected areas established in 1937

Category:1937 establishments in South Carolina