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Canalapalooza Informs Visitors
A spell-bound group of people walked with amateur naturalist Greg Vandervelde as he pointed out edible berries, leaves, roots and flowers along the Columbia Canal on October 25.
Vandervelde was one of the many volunteers, including city and state Park Rangers, who led organized walking tours of the canal during Canalapalooza, an educational event sponsored by Columbia Green last Sunday. Approximately 500 people visited the four-hour long celebration of the history of the Fall Line and canal. Attendees learned about the geology, plant life, ecology and history of the water thoroughfare that was built in the 1890s. Participants could tour the old Pump and Turbine House, listen to well-known speakers, kayak in the slow-moving canal, attend informational walking tours or just enjoy the splendor of the Riverfront Park.
Joining Columbia Green in organizing this educational event were the State Museum, USC’s McKissick Museum, Historic Columbia Foundation, and the City of Columbia. Also participating were the Sierra Club, the Congaree Land Trust, the Congaree Riverkeeper, River Alliance, River Runner Outdoor Center, South Carolina ETV, the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, and many other local organizations.
“This was a wonderful event that brought together many different environmental, historical and involved organizations in a fun, informative atmosphere,” said Susan Hamilton, president of Columbia Green. “I hope we’re able to turn this into an annual event that enlightens more people about this beautiful resource as well as the many organizations involved in improving the Midlands.”
The Fall Line in South Carolina is located where the Broad River joins the Saluda River from the Congaree River. The Fall Line played a major role in the development of Columbia and the canal and was a transition zone geographically, economically and culturally here in the Midlands during the early 1800s. The original Columbia Canal, designed by Robert Mills, was constructed between 1820 and 1824 as a means of navigating around the rapids of the Broad River. The existing canal was constructed in the 1890s and continues to serve as a source of power and water for the City of Columbia. It is also a recreational destination for residents and visitors to enjoy year around. The 167-acre park is open on a daily basis and has 2.5 miles of paved trails.
See Canalapalooza Photo Gallery>>
