Columbia City Council Manager Teresa Wilson, Anne Sinclair, Former Mayor Bob Coble, Former Mayor Steve Benjamin, Jackie Patton, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Councilman Ed McDowell, Todd Martin, and Councilwoman Tina Herbert cut the ribbon to officially reopen Finlay Park.
City and State leaders and Columbia residents were on hand to celebrate the reopening of Finlay Park Saturday, November 15.
“Columbia, South Carolina is alive and thriving with its own identity, and your presence here speaks volumes to that,” Henry Simons, assistant city manager, said. “What an incredible day this is for our city. Today, we don’t just open a park, we reopen a promise. Finlay Park has stood at the heart of Columbia for decades. It has been a place for memories, celebrations, concerts, family gatherings, and community connections, but today marks the beginning of a new chapter, a new era and a powerful new vision for what this space will mean for all of us. This grand reopening is a celebration of renewal, resilience, and reinvestment.
It is a testament to what can happen when a city comes together with a purpose and determination. It is once again the crown jewel of downtown Columbia.”
Saturday’s reopening brought the two-year, $25-million renovation project to a conclusion.
Columbia residents walk around and experience the new Finlay Park.
“It doesn’t seem like a long time ago that we stood in this place, looking out over this place, this green space, and it was announced September 23 two years ago that this city would undergo a resurrection of this beacon of hope in this city,” Columbia City Councilman Ed McDowell said. “Here we are to celebrate the fulfillment of that promise. At that time, we promised that this would be an exclusive, inclusive park. A park for everybody to come, enjoy in fellowship with each other. We meant that for two years and mean it even more today because you are sitting here today, enjoying the beauty of this park. Isn’t it nice to know out of chaos can come development? It gives us more time to fellowship and be a part of this community.”
The park was originally named Finlay Park in 1994 following the passing of former Mayor Kirkman Finlay Jr., who played a major role in relocating the railroad tracks in what was then Sidney Park to turn it into a more family friendly place.
Paulene Cruse sits next to a statue of Kirkland Finlay Jr. at the reopening of Finlay Park.
“It is honoring the legacy of the namesake of the park that we truly appreciate today, and we must honor the vision that led us here today,” Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said. “We stand at the park named for a true leader, former Mayor Kirkman Finlay Jr. Our mayor, here in the city of Columbia from 1978 to 1986. He foresaw the renaissance of downtown. He championed the transformation of this land known as Sidney Park back into a civic asset. He believed in the power of public space to elevate a city. His memory lasts right here. His vision lasts. It’s the vision that brought us the Vista, the revitalization of Main Street. But none of this could have happened had we not had mayors that followed him after his death that took the ball and ran with it.”
During Rickenmann’s speech, he thanked former mayors Patton Adams, represented by his wife, Jackie, and son, John; Bob Coble; and Steve Benjamin. Rickenmann credited Adams with playing a large role in building the park during his term, Coble for the unveiling of the park during his term, and Benjamin for securing the funding for the most recent remodeling.
Todd Martin, city landscape architect, receives a painting of the city from Ija Monet Charles.
“This is a wonderful success for the city, for the mayor and council, and the city staff that made it happen,” Benjamin said. “It’s a beautiful restoration and reimagining of Finlay Park, and it’s going to benefit Columbia for generations.”
The park amenities include new playground areas for kids, a pickleball court, a fitness court, a splash pad, and two new stages for activities like concerts.
The renovation also restored the iconic fountain, which is now flowing for the first time since 2014.
“It is the heart of Finlay Park in Columbia,” Rickenmann said. “The cascading waterfall is the lifeblood. The heartbeat is pumping hard now.”
Finlay Park will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m, seven days a week.
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