Columbia Proposes Splash Park to Replace Existing Outdoor Pool

The new water play area would feature sprays, jets, and fountains instead of a traditional pool.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:21pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph showing the blurred silhouettes of children playing in a splash pad, with the scene rendered in soft, warm tones and hazy, dreamlike light, conceptually representing the proposed new water play amenity in Columbia.A proposed new splash park in Columbia aims to expand water-based recreation and community gathering spaces, though it would require replacing an existing outdoor pool.Columbia Today

The Columbia Association is considering building a new full-scale splash park in the community that would replace one of the 23 existing outdoor pools. The $350,000 project would create a water play area with sprays, jets, and fountains, along with picnic areas and shade structures. However, the plan requires closing and replacing one of the current pools, and leaders say the project will only move forward if a suitable site can be agreed upon by the community.

Why it matters

The proposed splash park aims to expand water-based recreational opportunities in Columbia, appealing to a wider range of ages and abilities. It reflects the community's interest in this type of amenity, as demonstrated by the popularity of the existing splash pad in the Merriweather District. The project aligns with the Columbia Association's goals of affordability and accessibility outlined in their 2025 Strategic Plan.

The details

The Columbia Association's fiscal year 2027 budget includes $350,000 to support the design of the proposed splash park. The water play area would feature sprays, jets, and fountains on a flat surface without standing water. Surrounding features would include picnic areas, shade structures, and other recreational elements. To accommodate the splash park, one of the 23 existing outdoor pools in Columbia would need to be closed and replaced.

  • The Columbia Association's fiscal year 2027 budget includes funding for the splash park design.
  • The project will only move forward if a suitable site can be agreed upon by village leadership and the broader community.

The players

Columbia Association

The nonprofit community services organization that manages the parks, facilities, and programs in Columbia, Maryland.

Julie Miller

The director of media relations and communications for the Columbia Association.

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What they’re saying

“(It's) a popular destination on warm days, demonstrating strong community interest in and use of this type of amenity. A Columbia Association splash park would expand opportunities for water-based play, offering features that appeal to a wider range of ages while also creating additional spaces for community gathering. A splash park would engage all ages, cultures, incomes and abilities, aligning with affordability and accessibility goals emphasized in the CA 2025 Strategic Plan.”

— Julie Miller, Director of Media Relations and Communications, Columbia Association

What’s next

If a site can be mutually agreed upon by village leadership and the broader community, the Columbia Association will then move into the design phase of the splash park project. If no suitable site is identified, the association will determine the next steps with their board of directors.

The takeaway

The proposed splash park in Columbia reflects the community's desire for expanded water-based recreational opportunities that can engage a diverse range of residents. However, the project's success hinges on finding a consensus on the location, as it would require the closure and replacement of one of the 23 existing outdoor pools in the area.