Around Town: Northwest
The northwest area of Greater Columbia is one of the fastest growing residential parts of town. It is made up of neighborhoods like St. Andrews, Harbison, and Irmo and Dutch Fork. This area is convenient to downtown by I-20, I-26 and I-126. St. Andrews-Dutch Square is an area of high residential development, with many apartment communities located here as well as housing developments of both moderate and upper priced homes. Harbison is a planned community with extensive recreational facilities available to Harbison residents. Over seven miles of wide paved trails wind throughout the neighborhoods. Irmo has the largest population of any municipality in Lexington County. Many new housing developments are located here, with both starter home communities and upscale neighborhoods. Northwest has been a hotbed of new housing developments in recent years. New upscale communities are being built in this beautiful and largely rural part of Greater Columbia.
Dutch Fork is located in both Richland and Lexington Counties. The Saluda River borders the area. There are parks on each side of the Lake Murray Dam, one with a swimming area open in warm weather. Boat access to the river is available from Old Bush River Road. Located in Northwest Columbia is the Dutch Fork Tennis Center, a tennis only facility that includes four lighted tennis courts. Offstreet parking is available and there is a charge of $2.00 for reservations. Open from 9 am -9pm. Located at Friarsgate Blvd in Irmo, SC. Call 732-3220 for more information.
A new YMCA in Northwest Columbia is located at 1501 Kennerly Road in Irmo, SC. Amenities include an eight-lane indoor heated pool with adult and youth swimming lessons, indoor track, senior programs, gymnasium, quiet forested areas for family picnics, outdoor trails for leisurely walks, National YMCA Character Development Program and Family Nights, Retreats and Swim Parties. Call 407-8007 for more information.
Dutch Fork High School in Northwest Columbia is ranked by Newsweek as the top 4% of all high schools in the US. Dutch Fork has acquired academic and athletic honors such as the 2004 Commended Students in the National Merit Program, 2004 Semi-finalist for the National Merit Award, 2004 Achievement Scholarship, North South All Star Varsity Football, and Girls' Tennis placed 2nd in Region, among others. The latest Report Card gave an Absolute rating--Excellent Improvement-Excellent SAT score being 1082, which is the highest in District 5 and which is 56 points above the national average.
Shopping
Columbiana Centre Mall Area
Dutch Square Mall Area
St. Andrews Rd / Irmo / Bush River & Broad River Rds
Something for everyone can be found at Boozer Shopping Center, at the corner of Bush River & Broad River Roads in the St. Andrews area. A collection of small businesses from music stores like Manifest to Educational Wonderland, filled with learning aids for kids and teachers alike. Columbiana Centre located at 100 Columbiana Circle features some of the biggest names when it comes to shopping! Belk, Dillard's, Parisian, Sears, Ann Taylor Loft, Abercrombie & Fitch, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Banana Republic, Chico's, and Coldwater Creek are just a few reasons why life is good at Columbiana Centre! The Centre has an antique carousel,a 420 seat food court, and more than 100 specialty stores, guaranteed to make every visit a true shopping experience! Visit Dutch Square Mall, located at 421 Bush River Road! Upscale shopping like Belk, where there's everything from the perfect little black dress or the finest crystal and china by big names like Waterford, Lenox and Mikasa. Eat at any of Dutch Square's best restaurants and specialty food chains. Burlington Coat Factory is a warehouse of fabulous coats! From chic leather to sporty jackets and quality fur coats, Burlington has it all. Burlington also carries home decor, fashions for the whole family and more-all at affordable prices. Dutch Square Mall's AMC Theatre is great for catching all the latest movies! Located at 800 Bush River Road, AMC provides stadium seating, digital sound and handicap access in all theatres. Call 750-3576 for a recording of all available showtimes.
Parks and Recreation
Harbison Environmental Education Forest has 20 miles of trails designed for walking, jogging, hiking and bicycling that range from easy to moderately difficult. A canoe landing located near the Broad River provides access for kayaks and canoes as a put in or take out from the river. A 5,000 sq ft log cabin building is available for rental on weekdays. For information on trail guide and rules, contact 803-896-8890, or visit www.state.sc.us/forest/refhard.htm. Saluda Shoals Park was created with one idea in mind: to give the people who live in our community ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the river. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, nature study, picnics, and art performances at this 300-acre riverfront park! There is also a 11,000 square foot Environmental Education Center and Exhibit Hall, paved and unpaved trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and a River Observation Deck. For more information and fees, call 731-5208 or for details and availability of the River Center, is a modern conference facility with 5,000 sq ft of meeting space available, and can accommodate up to 500 people for parties, seminars, etc. Contact 772-1228 for more information.
St. Andrews Park
Friarsgate Park
Ballentine Park
Seven Oaks Park
Saluda Shoals Park
1 Public Country Club
Palmetto Health has developed a new 42-acre medical facility site fully equipped, with an Ambulatory Surgery Center, the offices of Columbia Gastroenterology Associates (including a complete endoscopy center), the Senior Primary Care practice for older adults. Palmetto's state-of-the-art medical imaging facility opened in 2004, and Irmo Family Practice and Surgical Associates of South Carolina is now open. Palmetto Health is located at 190 Palmetto Health Parkridge Drive, call (803) 296-2273 for more information. www.palmettohealth.com
Libraries
Irmo Branch of Lexington Co. 798-78806251 St. Andrews Rd. Hours: Mon.-Th. 8:30-8 / Fri. & Sat. 8:30-5:30 / Sun. 2-5 St. Andrews Regional Branch of Richland Co. 772-66752916 Broad River Rd. Hours: Mon.-Th. 9-9 / Fri. & Sat. 9-6
School District
Lexington & Richland Co. District 5
Northwest Average Cost Single Family Home St. Andrews / Irmo $159,380 Dutch Fork $188,302
