Columbia Residents Engage in Vision for Parks and Recreation Future

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Shaping the Future of Parks and Recreation

On a delightful Wednesday evening, the City of Columbia came alive with discussions surrounding the enhancement of local parks and recreational facilities. **_Residents gathered_** at the Woodland Park community center for an open dialogue organized by the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. The interim director, Kenya Bryant, took center stage to guide the community through what’s ahead for recreation in their vibrant city.

Charting a 10-Year Course

Bryant kicked off the meeting by sharing an exciting vision for the department’s **_10-year plan_**. Earlier this summer, the department reached out to over 5,000 residents through a survey – a mixture of mailed-out forms and an online option. Can you believe they received **_nearly 1,100 responses_**? That’s a strong level of engagement from the community, which shows just how much people care about their recreational areas.

“We wanted to know what you envision for the parks and recreation in the City of Columbia,” Bryant commented as he shared some insightful responses gathered from the surveys. The community clearly voiced a desire for more **_greenways, connectivity, and green spaces_**. It seems everyone is craving a bit more nature in their daily lives!

Engaging Diverse Generations

The meeting wasn’t just for the adults; it also delved into what children and teens want from their parks. Offsetting the laughter of kids sharing their hopes, officials listened closely to a variety of ideas. Besides basic requests like improved security and cleaner restrooms, one of the standout interests was for **_expanded pickleball options_**. It appears this sport is gaining popularity!

A Peek into the Pickleball Realm

Among those sharing their thoughts was Blake Faries, a pickleball enthusiast. He awarded the city a **_grade of “B”_** for its current amenities related to pickleball. “While there’s certainly room for improvement, there have been enhancements such as resurfacing courts that can make them safer and more welcoming for everyone, especially for both tennis and pickleball players,” he shared enthusiastically.

Mark Those Calendars!

For those who couldn’t make it on Wednesday, the City of Columbia isn’t done yet! They are planning **_three more information sessions_** to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. The upcoming meetings will take place on:

• **_Thursday, October 17th_** at the Leroy Moss Multipurpose Center
• **_Wednesday, November 6th_** at the S. Edisto Park Neighborhood Center
• **_Thursday, November 7th_** at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center

Each session is set to kick off at **_6:00 p.m._**. Residents are highly encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas during these sessions to further shape the future of parks and recreation.

Moving Forward Together

With all the valuable feedback collected from these gatherings, Parks and Recreation staff plan to weave it into their **_10-year recreation plan_**. After that, the hard work of seeking funding will begin, which will include various initiatives that need the green light from the Columbia City Council.

Residents might soon see positive changes in their treasured green spaces within just a few months, as officials aim to tackle some of the smaller issues first. Being proactive with community needs is always a welcome approach, don’t you think?

As Columbia continues to grow and evolve, this engagement undoubtedly helps create a community that thrives in active living, leisure, and, most importantly, connection to one another. So, let’s keep the conversation going and make those parks the heart of Columbia!