Parks' staff presented a conceptual plan at a community meeting hosted by the Friends of Columbia Park on June 4th. Park neighbors and interested park users were invited to attend this meeting to learn about the proposed renovation plans. In the fall the plans were refined and presented to the Friends of Columbia Park and to the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association. The design plan was well received. Some areas are in very poor condition and drainage problems exist.
Deterioration is due in part to garbage trucks and other heavy vehicles using the paths.
This traffic will not be allowed to continue on the improved pedestrian paths, and where there is a need for heavier vehicular traffic, such as service areas and at the handicap drop-off at the pool house, a sturdier structural path will be built. New pathways will be built to make park features such as the picnic areas, restrooms, and ballfields accessible. Playground - Construction of the proposed playground improvements will be delayed due to budget constraints. Later in the construction schedule, if funding allows, improvements will be made to the play area. Project construction costs are higher than anticipated, and park improvements had to be prioritized.