Page Ellington Park

The crown jewel of BullStreet is Page Ellington Park. Named for a prominent, Reconstruction-era African American architect and builder, Page Ellington, this 20-acre public park features running and walking paths, a dog park and natural water habitat featuring a two-acre pond and Smith Branch Creek, 2,600 linear feet of which have been daylighted or restored. The center of the new urban South has a new centerpiece for outdoor recreation.

Since the revitalization began, more than 3,500 live stakes have been planted — small branch cuttings that will grow into thriving trees, plants and shrubs — along Smith Branch Creek. Some of these native trees include American Sycamores, black willows, silky willows and dogwoods.

In addition, nearly two dozen varieties of flowers and grasses have been planted throughout the park. The flagship pond is surrounded by four species of native plants, including Soft Rush (Juncus effuses), Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor), Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata), Water Canna and Alligator Flag (Thalia dealbata). All of these species create a natural barrier along the pond. Many different animals and wildlife now inhabit the park, including red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons, orchard orioles, blue jays, yellow-throated warblers, frogs, bullfrog tadpoles and more.

Located at 2220 Gregg Street in downtown Columbia, S.C., between Colonial Drive and the Central Energy event venue, Page Ellington Park is managed by the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department after being designed, constructed and gifted to the city by Hughes Development Corporation, the master developer of the BullStreet District. The Columbia Parks and Recreation team works to maintain the environment and ecological integrity of the space.

Page Ellington By the Numbers

4,500 new plants installed throughout the park.
3,500 live stakes planted along the Smith Branch Creek.
2,600 linear feet of Smith Branch daylighted or restored.
2-acre pond.
2 picnic shelters.
1.75-acre dog park.
• Plus, countless ways for Page Ellington Park to continue to grow!

Smith Branch Creek

One goal of this park was to recreate a natural habitat by bringing Smith Branch Creek to the surface on the property while also creating a two-acre pond.

The restoration of Smith Branch Creek, including the planting of thousands of live tree stakes along the waterway's banks, is making a positive impact on water quality, wildlife and biodiversity.

The creek, which flowed underground in twin 84-inch culvert pipes on the property, was brought to the surface and meanders through Page Ellington Park, BullStreet's 20-acre public park.

New interpretive signage along the creek provides important information about conservation and the park’s biodiversity, as well as an overview and benefits of the creek daylighting process, including the advanced water engineering tactics deployed by the BullStreet District to mitigate stormwater impact and rehabilitate the land within Page Ellington Park for public enjoyment.

Plantings at the Park

Focal Flowering Species
Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctate)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Showy Tickseed (Bidens aristosa)
Wild Senna (Cassia marilandica)
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)
Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illnoensis)
Spiked Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Narrow-leafed sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Tall Iron weed (Vernonia gigantean)
Yellow Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)
Swamp Milkwee (Asclepias incarnate)
Smooth beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Grasses
Red top panicum (Panicum rigidulum)
Shallow sedge (Carex lurida)
Deer tongue grass (Panicum clandestinum)
Hop Sedge (Carex lupulina)
Nodding Sedge (Carex crinite)
Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)
Upland bentrass (Agrostis perennans)

Pond
Soft Rush (Juncus effusus)
Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
Water Canna, Aligator Flag (Thalia dealbata)

Live stakes
Silky Willlow (Salix sericea)
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amonum)

Dog Park

Page Ellington Park is also home to a 1.75-acre dog park. On any given day, dogs of all shapes and sizes can be seen frolicking inside the fully fenced in park.