Virginia Hylton Park

This is a wonderful park. It is shady, and well-maintained. The park has several picnic shelters as well as concrete picnic tables scattered along the paths. There is a large picnic shelter that doubles as an amphitheater, with rows of seating across the path from it. Bring your charcoal and hot dogs because the shelters each have a grill nearby. The large shelter is positioned at the top of a waterfall and pond and has a horseshoe playing area on the other side. Horseshoe rules are posted inside the shelter! The park can be reserved by calling the park office at (803) 359-1027.

The paved path is 1980 ft and the map and sign near the entrance will help you figure out how many times to circle the park for different distances. The path travels along a natural and man-made creek and offers views of several ponds and waterfalls. The path also leads over bridges in several places and has two observation decks that overlook the creek.

The park features several gardens featuring day lilies, camellias, iris, and a butterfly garden. The bigger pond is stocked with koi.

The playground area has plenty of well-maintained equipment, including a digging toy. The equipment has sections for both smaller children and bigger kids too. There is even a special playground for children with special needs. The playground is fairly shady. It is paved with pea gravel (hard on little knees) and in some areas there are sweet gum balls (prickly balls) from a nearby tree.

Public restrooms and water are available behind Old Town Hall, near the entrance of the park.

To get there, take I-20 to exit #55 and go north on SC 6 (South Lake Drive) 2.6 kilometers into downtown Lexington. Hylton Park will be on the left, at the intersection of South Lake Drive and Maiden Lane, right behind the Lexington County Courthouse. The entrance is next to the Old Town Hall. Watch closely for the sign- there is contruction going on near the entrance making it hard to see.