This historic 18.5-acre park dating back to the 1800s was once considered the crown jewel of Columbia, South Carolina’s parks system and included vast green spaces, stages, and a cascading waterfall fed by a trademark spiral fountain. The park, which opened in its current form in the 1970s, was a centerpiece for city recreation, events, and family gatherings before age and accessibility issues affected its usefulness. The new design respects the original goals and objectives of revered southern landscape architect Robert Marvin while improving circulation, engaging users through diverse, interconnected spaces and increasing accessibility, safety, and visibility. “It’s sustainable and responsible to build on the investment that’s already within Finlay Park. We plan to enrich it and bring it up to contemporary programs in alignment with a 2019 Master Plan developed by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation,” says Civitas founder and president Mark Johnson. The renovations received City Council approval in early 2022 and are expected to break ground in 2023.