Despite a year marked by the corona virus crisis, 2 new parks are getting rave reviews.

West Columbia’s Interactive Art Park opened at 425 State Street in September 2019.

Carraway Children’s Park opened 2 months later.

“We love this park,” said Will Warren of West Columbia of the Carraway Children’s Park across from Riverwalk Park.

“We come here probably twice a week.”

Will had his 2 children with him, 6-year-old son Liam, and 4-year-old daughter, Emma.

Liam is a 1st-grader at Saluda River Academy for the Arts. He said he likes the park’s big swing. He described it as being like a roller coaster. Emma said she loves the park’s slide.

Will said the park is clean, and he likes the fact there is no dirt.

The Palate restaurant at 116 State Street opened after the Interactive Art Park.

The Meeting Street Artisan Market is held there from 9 am until 1 pm on Saturdays through December.

It features original arts and crafts, fresh foods and produce, local food trucks, and other prepared food vendors.

“We were very excited to hear about the park,” said Lindsay Whitlock who owns Palate with her husband, Levi.

She said the free public parking spaces provided by the City of West Columbia, adjacent to the park, have been good for business because of the added access they allow.

Lindsay also said she appreciates all of the artwork and the colorful murals in the park and the alleyway between State Street and the park.

The interactive art park also has free WiFi provided by the City of West Columbia.

Ian and Mary Addison Yates of West Columbia came to Carraway Children’s park for the first time Tuesday.

They were there with their 8-year-old twins, who attend Riverbank Elementary.

“We’re ecstatic,” Mary said of the park. “The kids loved the park when they saw it.”

The Yates decided to come to the park after being “cooped up.”

“We had cabin fever and needed to get out,” said Ian.

He said the features in the park are age-appropriate. The Yates liked the size of the park because it enables social distancing. They liked the park’s restrooms, too.

“It’s beautiful,” said Mary. “We will come back.”