After years of work and investment, Finlay Park welcomed Columbia back with open arms and new green spaces and structures. Now, the brains behind Finlay Park are repeating national recognition for their design success.
Finlay Park has been selected by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) as the recipient of the 2026 Innovation in Park Design Award, a nationwide honor recognizing innovation in parks and recreation design. The award celebrates those agencies across the country that are strengthening communities through forward-thinking and transforming public spaces.
With its restructuring, Finlay Park — which officially celebrated its grand re-opening on Nov. 15, 2025 — was revitalized, a downtown park turned into a modern, accessible and community-focused destination designed to serve residents and visitors for the future. The new Finlay Park has brought community events and life to the park…