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.