Emily Douglas Park should be a vibrant, welcoming space that reflects the people who live around it, but today, it falls short of its potential.

Shandon is one of Columbia’s most walkable and densely populated neighborhoods. Families, children, longtime residents, young professionals, and pet owners live just steps from Emily Douglas Park and rely on it every day. Yet the park’s facilities have not kept pace with the needs of the community it serves.

We are calling on the City of Columbia to prioritize a comprehensive overhaul of Emily Douglas Park to better support quality of life, recreation, and neighborhood pride.

What We Want:

• Meaningful improvements to the dog park, including better surfacing, drainage, fencing, and seating
• Lusher, well-maintained landscaping and grassy areas for everyday use, relaxation, and informal play
• A new or modernized playground for children of all ages and abilities
• Pickleball and/or tennis courts to meet growing recreational demand for residents of all generations

Well-designed and well-maintained parks are not a luxury; they are essential infrastructure. They promote physical and mental health, encourage community interaction, improve neighborhood safety, and help stabilize and increase property values. Emily Douglas Park has the location and visibility to be a true neighborhood anchor, but only if the City invests in it.

By signing this petition, you are urging the City of Columbia to listen to the residents who live nearby and use Emily Douglas Park daily. Together, we can advocate for a public space that better serves our neighborhood and reflects the pride we take in Shandon.

Please add your name and help us show that Emily Douglas Park matters to our families, our pets, our neighbors, and the future of our community.