Dog Walkers in Arsenal Hill

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbia, South Carolina, Arsenal Hill is a combination of residential buildings and businesses. Historically, this neighborhood used to be home to the Arsenal, a military school that was the sister school to the Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina! Additionally, during the Civil War, there used to be an actual arsenal in this neighborhood. Unfortunately, many of the historical buildings were burned during the Civil War. 

Today, Arsenal Hill is home to plenty of standalone, single-family homes and the Governor's Mansion. Commercially, there are a few local business and restaurants, a hotel, and government buildings like the U.S. Social Security Administration building and U.S. District Court. There are also a few churches throughout this small neighborhood. 

Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and is home to several art and history museums, the University of South Carolina, a thriving local food scene, and growing tourist attractions. 

Part of Arsenal Hill are more walkable than others. The southwest part of the neighborhood is predominately residential in nature. This part of the neighborhood has well-maintained sidewalks. Additionally, they are set back a bit from the roads, so there is a wide buffer between any oncoming traffic and you and your pup. These sidewalks are also lined with wide patches of grass. Unfortunately, the sidewalks in the more commercial parts of the neighborhood are immediately alongside the roadways and there is little grass to be found. 

Arsenal Hill is also a rather hilly neighborhood. Some parts of this community even have sweeping fews of Columbia's downtown area. However, some hills may be a bit tricky to navigate if you have mobility issues or if there is any hazardous weather. 

The boundaries of Arsenal Hill are Elmwood Avenue to the north, Assembly Street to the east, Taylor Street to the south, and Huger Street to the west. 

For a smaller neighborhood, there are a few greenways located in Arsenal Hill. The largest greenway, Finlay Park, is 17-acres of walking paths, manicured greenways, playgrounds, and recreational spaces. With a beautiful, large fountain, Finlay Park used to be a proud oasis in the downtown Columbia area. However, this park has not been maintained and has fallen into a bit of disrepair. While it still hosts special events, like movies on the lawn or summer festivals, Finlay Park may not be the best option for you and your pup to explore, particularly in the evening. 

Thankfully, there are a few other parks within walking distance of Arsenal Hill. To the south, you will find Memorial Park, a beautifully manicured space dedicated to veterans. There are several memorials and monuments dedicated to South Carolina's military members. 

Other greenways in the area include Boyd Plaza, Elmwood-Roy Lynch Park, and Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park.