A grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will help the nonprofit Janson Foundation install a new playground at Janson Park in Columbia. The new, inclusive playground equipment will replace play structures that are more than 22 years old.

The Janson Foundation received $116,500 to complete the project and will match the state's funds with $116,500, for a total community investment of $233,000. Funding for the grant comes from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program's Environmental Stewardship Fund. A check presentation took place on Sept. 21.

DCNR is the primary source of state support for Pennsylvania recreation, parks and conservation initiatives. Grant funding from DCNR assists hundreds of communities and organizations across Pennsylvania to plan, acquire and construct park and recreation facilities, trails and public open space.

Janson Park, located at South Sixth and Cherry streets, is one of six parks in Columbia Borough along with Makle Park, Glatfelter Memorial Field, Rotary Park, Locust Street Park and Columbia River Park. Janson Park is a 4-acre neighborhood park that is centrally located near the downtown, Park Elementary School, Columbia Public Library, Locust Street Park, Mount Bethel Cemetery and Our Lady of the Angels School. It features a playground for children age 6 and older, a baseball and softball field and a basketball court.

The Janson Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the maintenance and upkeep of Janson Park. Founded in 1924 by the owners of the former Janson Steel & Iron Co. - brothers Frank, Valentine and Joseph Janson - it has the mission to provide a safe, family-friendly neighborhood park for residents and visitors to enjoy and to serve those in need through its Helping Hands program. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprising nine members.