Finlay Park
Finlay Park, is urban park in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. It is the city's largest and most visited park. Originally named Sidney Park, it was renamed in 1994 after former Columbia mayor Kirkman Finlay.
The park features a scenic waterfall and a cascading, mountain-style stream that flows into the park’s lake. However, the waterfall has been out of operation for nearly two years. The park includes picnic tables, two playground areas, and a café, making it a popular destination for families in the past. In recent years, however, it has become home to the city's largest homeless population. Ongoing issues at the park have led local charity organizations to provide weekly food services for those living on the park’s benches.
Despite these challenges, the park continues to host outdoor movies on Friday nights during the summer months. It is also the venue for numerous events and festivals, including the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series. This free outdoor concert series runs for 13 weeks, starting on May 24, with performances from 7 to 10 p.m. The lineup features a variety of music genres, including blues, beach, classical, contemporary/top 40, country, bluegrass, and reggae. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring picnics; however, glass containers, grills, pets, and radios are not permitted.