Columbia Residents Share Vision for Parks and Recreation in Community Engagement Event

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Community Engagement for a Brighter Future

This past Wednesday, the City of Columbia welcomed local residents to the Woodland Park community center for an exciting discussion about the future of parks and recreation in the Capital City. The buzz in the air was palpable as community members gathered to voice their thoughts, hopes, and ideas on enhancing recreation within the city.

Setting the Stage

Kenya Bryant, the Interim Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Columbia, kicked off the evening by explaining the purpose behind the community survey. “We’re creating our 10-year plan for the Parks and Recreation Department. We conducted a survey this past spring and summer, sending out over 5,000 surveys and also making it available online,” Bryant shared.

It seems like the community had a lot to say! Bryant mentioned that they received almost 1,100 responses to the survey. The critical question was simple yet vital: “What do you want parks and recreation to look like in your community in the City of Columbia?”

What Residents Want

As the discussions progressed, one theme stood out: the community’s desire for more greenways, better connectivity, and additional green spaces. “That’s the direction we’re heading as a city,” Bryant added, highlighting how the community is pushing for a greener, more accessible Columbia.

The meeting wasn’t solely focused on adult perspectives, either. The Parks and Recreation team also collected insights about what children and teens envision for the city’s recreation department. Issues like enhanced security, improved restroom facilities, and expanded options for sports were strong focal points. One sport that really caught attention was pickleball, which many residents deemed a priority.

Pickleball Popularity

Blake Faries, a firm pickler, rated the city’s pickleball courts and facilities with a solid “B”. He expressed optimism about potential improvements, stating, “There are some resurfacing needs to make the courts safer, and we also want to make it more inviting for new players—especially with tennis and pickleball coming together.”

More Meetings Ahead

For those who couldn’t make it to Wednesday’s meeting, don’t worry! The city has scheduled three more information sessions to ensure everyone has a voice in shaping the future of recreation:

• 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

All three meetings kick off at 6:00 p.m., and city officials are eager to hear more ideas from the public.

Looking to the Future

Bryant assured the community that all feedback would be carefully considered while crafting the final 10-year recreation plan. The next step will involve determining the funding for these projects, some of which will require approval from the Columbia City Council.

However, there’s good news for eager residents: the city plans to tackle some of the smaller issues first. If everything goes according to plan, Columbia residents could begin noticing improvements in just a few months. Exciting times are ahead for our beloved parks and recreation!

In a world where community voices matter, the City of Columbia has taken significant strides in ensuring everyone feels heard. It’s evident that together, residents and city officials are working hand-in-hand to create a vibrant and enjoyable outdoor space for future generations.