About
Columbus Parks and Recreation Youth Programs include activities such as fieldtrips, recreational games, sports, crafts, disc golf, disc golf putting practice, friendly competition, movies in the park, a kids craft table, bingo, Japanese Taiko drumming, and fencing. The Come Out & Play program offers a free summer-long playground recreation camp experience that includes visits to Donner Aquatic Center and field trips around town, with buses picking up and dropping off children at neighborhood park pick-up points at 9th Street Playground, Pence Street Park Playground, Morningside Playground, and Parkside Playground. Additional offerings include a Disc Golf Putting League where participants bring or borrow discs and scores are tracked with prizes for top scorers, Family Bingo and Make Your Own Sundae Night with a limit of five members per family and prizes for bingo winners, and classes where students may need to bring or rent specific equipment such as drumsticks or fencing gear.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: Options include weekday afternoon summer sessions, four-week and two-week class sessions, and single-day or evening events offered throughout the year.
• Price: Many activities are free, while some classes and leagues range from $20–$75 plus required equipment purchases or rentals.
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Board leads the department, with Dave Bush as President, Brian Wilson as Vice President, Miriam Portaluppi as Secretary, and Chaz Smith as a member, with Frank Miller serving as City Council Liaison and Mary K. Ferdon as Mayor. The Board’s mission is “To enrich lives” within the department’s planning area. The Board and department operate under the “Indiana Parks and Recreation Law” (IC 36-10-3) in accordance with City Ordinance, and the City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Community involvement includes weekly visits from library guests for Come Out & Play campers, sponsorship of the Movies in the Park Series by The Columbus Park Foundation, and use of the Remind notification system to alert participants of cancellations and closures due to weather.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: Options include weekday afternoon summer sessions, four-week and two-week class sessions, and single-day or evening events offered throughout the year.
• Price: Many activities are free, while some classes and leagues range from $20–$75 plus required equipment purchases or rentals.
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Board leads the department, with Dave Bush as President, Brian Wilson as Vice President, Miriam Portaluppi as Secretary, and Chaz Smith as a member, with Frank Miller serving as City Council Liaison and Mary K. Ferdon as Mayor. The Board’s mission is “To enrich lives” within the department’s planning area. The Board and department operate under the “Indiana Parks and Recreation Law” (IC 36-10-3) in accordance with City Ordinance, and the City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Community involvement includes weekly visits from library guests for Come Out & Play campers, sponsorship of the Movies in the Park Series by The Columbus Park Foundation, and use of the Remind notification system to alert participants of cancellations and closures due to weather.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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