For more than three decades, Finlay Park has been a defining public space in the heart of downtown Columbia. Once known as the city’s “Crown Jewel,” the park served as a gathering place for concerts, festivals, and everyday recreation, anchored by its distinctive spiral waterwall fountain. Over time, however, aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance led to a decline in use, leaving the park disconnected from the community it once energized.

 

The Finlay Park Revitalization Project has restored the vitality of this important civic landscape, returning the park to its role as a vibrant public destination. Led by Stantec with LS3P as design consultant, the project balanced respect for the park’s historic character while integrating new amenities for residents and visitors. Architectural and landscape elements respond to the park’s natural topography while integrating a new performance stage for concerts and events; a hillside playground, splash pad, pickleball courts; and exercise areas that promote public health. Sculptural precast panels follow the site’s sweeping landforms, while patterned steel screens and carefully designed lighting enhance safety and create a welcoming presence at night.

 

Today, the revitalized Finlay Park demonstrates how thoughtful design and government investment are central in the ongoing life of public green spaces expected to serve as social, cultural, and recreational destinations in urban settings.