Finlay Park

Historic Background

Finlay Park is an 18-acre urban park located in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Originally established in 1859 as Sidney Park, it fell into disrepair after the Civil War and was later repurposed for commercial use.

In 1990, the park was reopened and renamed Finlay Park in 1992, honoring Kirkman Finlay, a former mayor of Columbia who had envisioned revitalizing the area.

Location and Features

The park is situated between Assembly, Taylor, Gadsden, and Laurel streets, offering a green oasis in the heart of the city. It features a man-made lake, waterfalls, and a fountain that feeds into a cascading stream.

The topography of the park includes a hill, providing visitors with scenic views of the downtown area and creating a natural amphitheater setting. Paved walking paths wind throughout the grounds, with some areas offering scenic overlooks of the water features.

Recreation Amenities

Finlay Park offers various recreational facilities for visitors. The playground provides a space for children to play, though there are limited seating options nearby for supervising adults.

The park's design incorporates paved paths that are wheelchair accessible and suitable for strollers, making it one of the largest handicapped-accessible parks in the country. Picnic areas are available for gatherings, though they have been noted to need maintenance.

The park is dog-friendly, allowing pet owners to enjoy walks with their furry companions along the trails. There is also adequate parking available for visitors.

Events and Community Use

Finlay Park has served as a popular venue for various events, including festivals, political rallies, road races, and concerts. The Summer Concert Series has been a notable attraction, bringing live music to the park.

The park has also been used for community gatherings, including outdoor church services on Sunday mornings and occasional charitable events for the local community.

Ongoing Renovation

As of 2023, Finlay Park is undergoing a significant renovation project with an estimated cost of $21.5 million. The park is temporarily closed for these renovations, with completion expected in the fall of 2025.

The revitalization aims to update existing amenities, improve accessibility, and enhance safety features. The project includes repairing the iconic spiral fountain, which has been non-operational for some time, constructing new multi-use structures for events, and adding various new amenities to encourage community engagement and outdoor activities.

This comprehensive renovation is intended to address years of maintenance challenges and restore Finlay Park to its former status as a vibrant central feature of Columbia's parks system. When completed, it will transform the space into a modern, multi-use community hub.