Public Art in Finlay Park

Stroll through a landscape of native plantings, garden rooms, and art as you weave along runnels and a stream that flows from the pond to a lush rain garden. Take your time and enjoy the gardens in our Adirondack seating areas that are featured in the strolling gardens and throughout the park.

There are currently eight sculptures in the strolling garden. Each sculpture will remain at Finlay Park for two years before a new installation takes each place.

At the Grand Re-Opening Weekend, a sculpture competition was held featuring both juried awards and a public vote. The placings were as follows:

• First Place: Etienne Jackson: Monocotyledon: Genesis
• Second Place: Sam Spiczka: Elaboration IV
• Honorable Mention: Art Garcia: Human Nature, Fig. 2,3
• People’s Choice: Anthony Hienz May: Entropy of a Tree

Nestled into the hillside adjacent to the Ranger Station is the Secret Garden. A former multi-level playground, the Secret Garden is now a perfect, intimate outdoor venue for birthday parties, tea parties, book clubs, and social gatherings. To give the space a real touch of local flair, the City engaged with One Columbia for Arts and Culture to commission a mural.

Artist Maria DeFelice, a muralist from Columbia, has brought her vision to life. In her own words, DeFelice’s mural uses “cool tones with bright points of light to evoke the feeling of walking through a forest at dusk while being surrounded by playful fireflies.”