New Playground
The playground was installed in 2002 through a generous donation from the Armstrong World Industries Foundation. The expected lifespan of playground equipment is 20 to 25 years. So, at 22 years and counting, it’s time to start raising money for a brand-new playground for the next generation of Columbia kids.
The playground has been well maintained but is starting to show its age. It remains a safe, fun place for children – providing opportunities to develop balance, coordination, muscle endurance, problem-solving skills, social skills and much more. However, some of the original “fun” features no longer work or were damaged and had to be removed.
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We asked 4th grade students at Park Elementary School what they wanted to see at the new playground. Swings were their No. 1 choice, followed closely by spinning features and climbing structures. There are no swings in the entire borough park system nor at any of the school playgrounds.
The Janson Foundation is launching a fundraising campaign to replace the equipment with a new, modern play space featuring inclusive playground equipment that welcomes children of all ages and abilities to learn, play and grow. The estimated cost of a larger, age-segregated playground featuring the latest safety features and innovations in inclusive play space design is $233,000.
In October 2022, the foundation was awarded a $116,500 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to get us started. Now, it’s time to raise the required 50% matching funds to make the new playground a reality. Our goal is to raise $120,000 in 2023 and 2024 and cut the ribbon on a new playground in 2025.