SHREVEPORT, La. — Residents, city leaders and community volunteers gathered Saturday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Columbia Park, marking a century of recreation and community in Shreveport's Highland neighborhood.
The celebration, organized by the Highland Neighborhood Association in partnership with SPAR, featured refreshments, family-friendly activities, an American flag giveaway and a rededication ceremony.
The event also highlighted recent improvements to the park, including the addition of more than 200 native trees and plants, a new paved walkway and other beautification measures.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the milestone was an opportunity to celebrate both the park's history and its future.
"I am so pleased that we can start the second 100 years of Columbia Park," Arceneaux said. "My wife grew up playing in this park. She's not only a Shreveport native, but a Highland native. So it's a great opportunity for us to celebrate Highland, celebrate Columbia Park and look forward to another 100 years of play and recreation."
April Dahm, a board member with the Highland Neighborhood Association, said community support has helped transform the park in recent years.
"This park has always been a wonderful park, but the community has really come together to add plants and trees to make sure that Columbia Park is the best park for everyone in the area," Dahm said.
SPAR Director Shelly Ragle said the event connected the park's centennial celebration with the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.
"It's really exciting to see people excited about not only the celebration of this park and where it falls in America's history, but also that we're celebrating 250 years of our country," Ragle said. "They're excited to get the flags. People are talking about where they're going to put them and how they're going to use them."
Certificates of appreciation were presented to community members and volunteers who contributed to the park's restoration efforts.
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