Riiver Park project is honored

Left to Right: Jackie Parker, Deputy Sec, DCED; Mike Schober, Buchart Horn; Karla Farrell, Buchart Horn; Mary Wickenheiser, Borough Council President; Charles Hershey, River Park Steering Committee; Mayor Lutz; Fred Reddig, Executive Director, Governor's Center for Local Government Services

Columbia Borough has been awarded the 2010 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in Promoting Community and Economic Revitalization. The award was for the Columbia Borough River Park Revitalization and Expansion Project.

The award was presented to representatives from Columbia Borough, the River Park Steering Committee and Buchart Horn, Inc. at a luncheon Thursday, April 15, at the Harrisburg Farm Show Building.

The award is the result of seven years work by the River Park Steering Committee. The River Park Steering Committee started discussions on revitalizing the River Park in 2003 and has been meeting monthly since. Construction on the project started in late fall 2009 and is expected to be completed by May 1st, 2010 intime for the boating season.

The revitalized River Park will feature a three lane motorized boat ramp, new canoe/kayak ramp, increased parking, lights, a fishing pier and docks. The grass area will be off-limits this year to allow the grass to grow and take root. The River Park Steering Committee is exploring the possibility of adding a pavilion this year until a permanent building can be constructed as part of phase 1A at a later date.