Free and Family-Friendly: Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

If you have kids and love Charleston, SC, then the newly updated playground at Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park is an absolute must-visit!

Tucked directly under the massive Arthur Ravenel Bridge, this park offers a fantastic, freshly renovated, and fully inclusive play area for children. Not only is it a free activity in a city that can be quite expensive, but you can also walk along the pier, grab a sweet treat, and search for dolphins with your kids!

Rebecca visited with her son and snagged all these updated photos so you can see what’s in store for you and your family at the updated Memorial Waterfront Park.

Heading over the Cooper River into Mount Pleasant? You’re passing right by one of the best family spots in the Charleston area. Whether you’re stopping for a quick break, looking for a breezy afternoon playdate spot, or planning a whole day by the water, this park has it all.

A Playground Kids Won’t Want to Leave

Our kids love this must-visit playground! Sitting right beneath the towering Ravenel Bridge, the play space has been completely overhauled into a modern, fully inclusive playground. It’s a colorful, vibrant, and accessible place for kids of all abilities to play together.

Updated Equipment at Memorial Waterfront Park in Mt. Pleasant

Here’s what makes it so great:

Fully Inclusive Design: The new setup features smooth, rubberized turf surfacing (no messy wood chips!) and accessible play structures designed so every child can get in on the fun.

Built-In Shade: Being located directly under the bridge adds a massive bonus! Even in the peak of the Charleston heat, the bridge deck acts as a giant umbrella so your little ones can play without getting overheated.

Updated Playground at Memorial Waterfront Park

Fenced-In for Safety: The playground is entirely enclosed, making it much easier to keep eyes on your runners. Local tip: Following the recent grand reopening, the park is still in the process of adding all the shaded benches back inside the gate, so you might want to bring a lawn chair just in case!

Paths for Wheels and Strollers: The surrounding area features well-maintained jogging and bicycling trails along the Cooper River, perfect for a full morning of movement.

Fun under the bridge at Memorial Waterfront Park

Cool Off and Play: The New Expansion Zone

Located just across Harry Hallman Jr. Blvd, the park’s massive expansion utilizes the space directly under the bridge ramps. It’s an absolute paradise for high-energy families:

The Mount Pleasant Splash Pad: This popular new water play area features custom fountains designed to look like mini versions of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and the historic Mt. Pleasant water tower. Note: It closes on Tuesday mornings for routine maintenance, and it’s a completely splash-at-your-own-risk zone.

Fitness & Sports: A brand-new quarter-mile walking track, an outdoor fitness zone with an obstacle course, and a massive multipurpose court featuring two basketball courts and four pickleball courts.

Dog Park: Features entirely separate, fenced-in play areas for large and small dogs so your furry family members can play safely.

Convenient Amenities: A newer restroom facility complete with changing tables, plus expanded parking.

Honoring Local Heroes

While exploring the new side of the park, take a moment to visit the beautiful new memorials:

First Responders Monument: A striking memorial with a large bell suspended between mini bridge towers, honoring local firefighters, EMS, and police.
Officer Vaughn Kee Memorial: A bronze badge sculpture featuring a moving poem tribute near the sports courts.

Stroll the Mt. Pleasant Pier & Grab Sweet Treats

Stretching 1,250 feet into Charleston Harbor, the Mount Pleasant Pier is a total showstopper. Built on the old pilings of the Pearman Bridge, it’s the longest pedestrian pier in the Southeast and offers:

Gorgeous panoramic views of the Charleston skyline, Cooper River, and Patriots Point.
The River Watch Café & Gift Shop: Located right at the foot of the pier, this is a savior for parents! You can grab coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and—the biggest kid-pleaser—soft-serve ice cream to enjoy on the shaded pier swings.
Coin-operated binoculars for kids to scan the horizon and search for dolphins.
Fishing opportunities with rod rentals and a fully stocked bait shop on-site.

The Ravenel Bridge and Memorial Waterfront Park

Events, Green Space & More

The park also features:

Expansive green lawns for picnics, cartwheels, and relaxing in the sun.
Community Events: Host to live music, moonlight movies, and seasonal festivals—many of which are entirely free.
A Visitor Center near the entrance, where you can pick up local brochures, snag discount attraction tickets, or book restaurant reservations and area activities.

Spend the whole day or just drop by for an hour.

Plan Your Visit

Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park 📍 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 📞 843.762.9946 🕕 Open Daily: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Quick Tip: Bring sunscreen, snacks, and a couple of quarters for the pier binoculars. Whether you come to run, splash, relax, or reel in a fish, this spot truly delivers.