You're invited to invest in the future of Columbia by supporting a playground project at Janson Park.

"This is more than just building a playground - it's about creating a legacy that will serve our community for the next 25 years and beyond," said Paul Resch of the Janson Foundation. "When you think about it, the playground we're building today will be where countless childhood memories are made. It will be a place where kids laugh, play and grow; where families come together to share special moments; and where neighbors connect and form lifelong friendships."

The playground project began as the current equipment, installed in 2002 in the four-acre park at 650 Cherry St., nears the end of its lifespan, Resch explained.

"Though the equipment has been well maintained, it's starting to show its age, with some original features no longer functional or removed for safety reasons," he shared. "The goal is to create a new, modern and inclusive play space for the next generation of Columbia children."

Initial planning started in 2022, with significant momentum gained after securing a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), he noted. The $116,500 award, provided through the Environmental Stewardship Fund of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, will cover half of the estimated $233,000 project cost.

The new space will feature two distinct play areas: a Tot Lot suitable for children ages 2 to 5 and a Youth Lot for children ages 6 to 12.

The Tot Lot will have age-appropriate slides, climbing features and sensory-stimulating elements. The Youth Lot will include larger structures for climbing, sliding and swinging.

"Notably, the playground will include swings, a feature not currently available in any Columbia Borough park," Resch said. "Accessibility improvements include ADA-compliant pathways; a small plaza with seating for caregivers; and sensory-friendly landscaping with shade trees, native plants and pollinator-friendly perennials.

The foundation plans to begin construction in late summer or early fall.

The project addresses several community needs, Resch said, including providing a safe, inclusive space for children to play and grow; enhancing local recreation options for families and schools, including Park Elementary and Our Lady of the Angels School, which are nearby; promoting health, wellness and social connections in a centrally located park; and supporting the long-term vitality of the borough by increasing property values and fostering community pride.

The project is an initiative of the Janson Foundation, an organization established in 1924 by the brothers who owned Janson Steel & Iron Co. Its purpose is to maintain Janson Park and assist people in need.

Members of the community can support the playground project in several ways. Personalized bricks may be purchased, with the purchase price matched by Brightspeed Fiber Internet. The bricks will line the walkway separating the two play areas.

People can also make direct donations at https://jansonfoundation.org/donate or mail a check to the Janson Foundation. The mailing address can be found on the website. People are also encouraged to share the playground campaign with friends, family members and local businesses.

"The estimated cost to build the project was $233,000 back in 2022," Resch said. "The price of everything has gone up since then. The estimated cost is now $270,000. So far, the foundation has raised $155,000, with a goal of raising another $20,000."

For Resch, the park plays a personal role in his family's life.

"When my son Nathan was born in 2001, Janson Park was our go-to spot for fun and family time," he said. "I can still see the smile on his face as he raced across the ripple bridge and climbed the steps to the spiral slide, ready to take off like he was on a great adventure. He absolutely loved it when I'd push him on the overhead monorail - it felt like he was flying through the air, laughing the whole way."

This new playground is just the beginning of a larger vision outlined in the 2019 Columbia Borough Parks and Recreation Plan, Resch shared. The master plan for Janson Park includes future developments, such as replacing the current one-and-a-half basketball courts in the southern corner of the park with two full-size basketball courts. These new courts will be reoriented to a north-south direction, preventing players from facing directly into the sun during sunrise and sunset, he said, and a 10-foot-wide runout area will surround the courts, enhancing both safety and playability.

"Once the new playground is complete, the foundation hopes to move forward with this next phase of the master plan, continuing our commitment to making Janson Park a vibrant, welcoming space for families and the entire community to enjoy," Resch said. "This playground will stand as a symbol of what we can achieve together, and knowing it will be enjoyed by children, parents and neighbors for decades to come is deeply rewarding."