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Explore the revitalization of Finlay Park in six stories

Stories by Sun News journalists, with AI summarization

The curated stories collectively highlight Finlay Park's $24 million revitalization aimed at transforming it into an event venue. The articles discuss new amenities, enhanced security measures, and related challenges faced by the city.

The city planned a two-day reopening festival featuring performances, including Shovels & Rope on Nov. 16, showcasing the park's brand-new amphitheater. A general clear-bag policy aims to ensure safety, creating mixed reactions among residents who voice concerns over accessibility. Despite its previous state, the restored iconic spiral fountain now flows, marking a symbolic renewal of the space.

Finlay Park from the air on Friday, August 16, 2024. By Joshua Boucher

NO. 1: CLOSED FOR YEARS, COLUMBIA’S FINLAY PARK TO REOPEN AFTER $24M+ REMODEL

Downtown Columbia’s Finlay Park will finally reopen this November. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

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Work continues on the $24 million restoration of Columbia’s Finlay Park. The park is expected to open in November. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 2: FINLAY PARK REOPENS SOON AFTER A $25 MILLION FACELIFT. HOW WILL IT BE PROTECTED?

With the Nov. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew T. Hall

Work continues on the $24 million restoration of Columbia’s Finlay Park. The park is expected to open in November. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 3: BAND THAT STARTED ONE OF SC’S BIGGEST FESTIVALS TO PLAY FINLAY PARK RE-OPENING

The husband and wife musical duo Shovels Rope will headline a second day of free music at downtown Columbia’s Finlay Park, which is celebrating its grand re-opening Nov. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The fountain at Finlay Park flows on Nov. 3, 2025. By Chris Trainor

NO. 4: SEE THE WATER FINALLY FLOWING IN FINLAY PARK’S ICONIC COLUMBIA FOUNTAIN (VIDEO)

The grand reopening of Columbia’s Finlay Park — once considered the “crown jewel” of the city’s parks system — may still be a couple of weeks away, but on Monday an iconic piece of the park could be seen gushing once more. | Published November 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

Work continues on the $24 million restoration of Columbia’s Finlay Park. The park is expected to open in November. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 5: COLUMBIA’S FINLAY PARK WON’T ALLOW MOST BACKPACKS, PURSES. WHY THE CLEAR BAG POLICY?

Columbia will re-open downtown’s Finlay Park for the first time in years Nov. | Published November 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The fountain at Finlay Park flows on Nov. 3, 2025. By Chris Trainor

NO. 6: COLUMBIA’S $25M FINLAY PARK VANDALIZED A WEEK BEFORE OPENING

Columbia has spent close to $25 million to resuscitate the long-dilapidated Finlay Park located between Laurel and Taylor Streets, south of Assembly Street downtown. | Published November 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.