Residentially, Melrose Heights is composed of mid sized single-family homes. Some of the larger homes have more recently been converted to smaller apartment units usually lived in by University of South Carolina students.
Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina, is a growing city with a variety of citizens. There is always something to do, whether that means stopping by one of the many festivals, visiting a museum, seeing a live concert, or trying some of the local Southern cuisine.
While there are aspects of Melrose Heights that could lead to very pleasant walks for you and your pup, there are other elements that can pose some challenges. First, most of this neighborhood has sidewalks, many that are shaded by large trees during Columbia's famously hot summers. However, because this neighborhood is a bit older, there are some cracks in the sidewalks, so watch your step while out exercising.
Additionally, there are plenty of hills in this Columbia neighborhood. Thankfully, some streets are relatively stable, but others have quite steep inclines. If you do your research, you should be able to strategically plan your walking routes to avoid the steeper hills if needed or preferred.
The boundaries of Melrose Heights include Gervais Street to the north, Millwood Avenue to the south, and King Street to the west. The northern and southern borders of the neighborhood are major roads through the city of Columbia and will likely have traffic compared to the rest of Melrose Heights.
Thankfully, if you and your pup are willing to venture outside of Melrose Heights, there are other park options! Mays Park, Heathwood Park, Emily Douglas Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Lyon Street Community Garden, and Saint Anna's Park are all within walking distance of Melrose Heights.
Emily Douglas Park, located just one mile to the south of this neighborhood, has a dog park! This fenced-in space has plenty of shade, benches for visitors, and a water fountain. Unfortunately, there are no separate enclosures, meaning all pups are together, regardless of size or breed.