Columbia families, local and state leaders help unveil new Janson Park playground to entire community
COLUMBIA, PA – Tuesday, September 30, 2025 – Today, Brightspeed, the nation’s third-largest fiber broadband builder, was joined by the Janson Foundation, Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz, State Senator James Malone (District 36), state and local community leaders and families to celebrate the debut of the fully revitalized playground at Janson Park in Columbia.
As a cornerstone for community gatherings and students at nearby schools, the new playground reflects the wish lists of 4th graders from Park Elementary and Our Lady of the Angels Schools. The upgrades feature a new swing set, climbing structures, slides and spinners. Swings were the children’s number one request, because no other playground in the borough featured them. The playground reopening marks three years in the making.
"The revitalized playground is more than just a place for children to play; it's a vibrant community hub that fosters connection and well-being among families and young people,” said Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz. “The investment in this new playground reflects our community's commitment to ensuring that children have a safe, welcoming place to enjoy the outdoors.”
Brightspeed’s donation of $15,000 to the Janson Foundation for park renovations reflects its support in making a positive difference in the communities it serves. To further underscore that investment, Brightspeed recently celebrated the expansion of its reliable, high-speed fiber network, now available to more than 135,000 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania, including more than 26,500 in Lancaster County.
“We are deeply grateful to dedicated partners like Brightspeed, who share our mission of enriching the lives of Columbia residents and strengthening the fabric of our community,” said Paul Resch, Janson Foundation Director. “From delivering reliable, high-speed fiber internet to local families and businesses to enhancing shared spaces such as the playground, these initiatives are vital to ensuring our town thrives and operates seamlessly.”
In addition to the upgrades, the project addresses several community needs, including providing a safe, inclusive space for children to play and grow, enhancing local recreation options for families and schools, promoting health, wellness and social connections in a centrally located park, and supporting the long-term vitality of the borough by increasing property values and fostering community pride.
“The new Janson Park Playground is a welcoming place for families and individuals to come together, stay active, and create lasting memories,” says Sabrina Anderson, local marketing manager at Brightspeed. “Brightspeed’s support reflects our dedication to Columbia, and we are proud to be a part of efforts that enhance the quality of life for all residents and help uplift the community. We look forward to witnessing the ongoing success and joy this facility brings to the area.”
Members of the community even stepped in to support the playground project through a personalized brick program. The bricks will line the walkway connecting the two play areas.
To learn more about the playground initiative, please visit jansonfoundation.org, and to learn more about Brightspeed Fiber Internet in the Columbia area, please visit brightspeed.com/fiber.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.
