The Midlands

Lexington County is one of eight counties located in what is often referred to as the “Midlands.” The Midlands denotes the area of land roughly located in the middle of South Carolina. It is the halfway mark between the low country and upstate South Carolina, and the halfway point between the beach and mountains. Some of the main towns and cities located in the midlands are:

• Columbia
• Cayce
• Gaston
• Orangeburg
• Sumter
• Lexington
• Newberrry

Local Outdoor Attractions

There are countless outdoor historical sites, campgrounds, and parks to visit in Lexington County. Whether residents are into hiking, boating, or just plain exploring, there are a range of outdoor locations to help people grow to love and appreciate South Carolina’s natural environment:

• Capital City Campground- Columbia
• Crooked Creek Park- Irmo
• Lake Murray- West Columbia
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden- Columbia
• Three Rivers Greenway-Midlands Region

Things to Do

Lexington County hosts a number of events that celebrate its unique culture and environment, annually. Among these events are:

• Tour de Midlands – Century Bike Ride

http://www.tourdemidlands.org

• Tour de Midlands – Century Bike Ride

http://www.tourdemidlands.org

• Rhythm on the River Concert Series

 http://www.rhythmontheriversc.com/?request=page&pg=3           

• Lexington County Peach festival

http://lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com/

• Congaree Bluegrass Festival

 http://www.cityofcayce-sc.gov/visiting/festivals-bluegrass.aspx?section=living

• South Carolina Peanut Party

http://www.scpeanutparty.com/

Environmental Responsibility

The people of Lexington County are engaged in many programs and initiatives to help make their community a greener, healthier place. From participating in recycling to purchasing local produce, there are numerous opportunities available for community members to lead environmentally responsible lifestyles.

Green Business Certification Program

Businesses that operate within Lexington County have the chance to become a certified “Lexington County Green Business Member.” This certification program was established in order to encourage local businesses to adopt more environmentally sound practices. One requirement of the program is for businesses to create a “Green Team” within their internal organization, and to establish attainable sustainability goals.

The goal of the program is to help preserve South Carolina’s natural landscape, and to promote improvements in the following categories:

• Waste reduction
• Recycling
• Water Conservation
• Energy Efficiency
• Enhancing air quality

Community Farmers Market

A weekly farmers market allows residents to enjoy in-season and locally produced fruits and vegetables. Shopping at the farmers market gives people the choice to support their local South Carolina farmers, to eat healthier, and to choose goods that require less fossil fuel to transport.

Dates:     Saturdays from June through November

Time:      9 am to 2 pm

Location:  1066 Sunset Blvd

                 West Columbia, SC 29169

Recycling

Recycling in Lexington County is a cinch to do. There are several drop-off locations for a significant number of items ranging from newspapers to foam rubber. The county even accepts plastics ranging from #1-7, while many counties and cities only accept #1-5.

The following drop-off sites are located within less than 20 miles of Bicycle City:

Drop-off site hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 7 am to 7pm 

Sundays 3 pm to 7 pm

CLOSED Tuesdays and Thursdays

For a complete list of Lexington County drop-off sites, and all the items that can be recycled, visit: http://www.lex-co.com/solidwaste.html