Park History

Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

Douglass Park & Pool History

Douglass Pool was built in the late 1930's under a Federal Government public works program. In the early 1970's, underground plumbing was replaced and a new pool deck and securing fence were also added at that time. In the 1980's, the bathhouse was completely renovated. Minor repair and patching of the pool shell and deck occurred on an annual basis over the years. The pool was in very bad shape after decades of service and in 1987, the City proposed closing the pool. The proposal resulted in such community outcry that the City Council agreed to keep the pool open and also asked staff to conduct a thorough inspection and prepare a report on the renovation needs of the pool. This major renovation was completed in 1991.

The initial construction of the park started in the 1960's, and major construction was completed in the mid 1970's when lighted basketball courts, a picnic shelter and children's tot lot were built. In 1996, representatives from the Frederick Douglass Coalition, the Douglass Park Neighborhood Association, and the North Central Columbia Neighborhood Association formed Friends of Douglass Park, which adopted Douglass Park under Columbia's Adopt-A-Spot program. On June 28, 1998, Douglass Ball field was dedicated. The construction of the ball field was made possible by a $10,000 donation from Nations bank. In 2001, athletic field lighting was installed, making the park an even more important venue for community gathering and activities.

Douglass Park & Pool