Columbia City High School Site Master Plan

Since 1888, Columbia City has served as the heart of commerce and family life in Whitley County. That legacy of strength and community continued as the City constructed a new high school and reimagined the 56-acre site of the former school. Their vision: to transform the property into a public park focused on recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

To bring this vision to life, the Columbia City Parks and Recreation Department partnered with JPR to develop a comprehensive Park Master Plan. JPR engaged City officials, stakeholders, and residents to identify priorities and community needs. Following a detailed site inventory and analysis, the design team incorporated public input to generate multiple park concepts. These concepts varied in the orientation of recreational features and in the layout of vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Through a collaborative process with both the client and community members, JPR refined these concepts into a final Master Plan. The plan emphasized a community-centered layout, blending spaces for active and passive recreation, child-friendly amenities, enhanced green areas, and improved access and circulation throughout the site.

In support of implementation, JPR also developed a detailed Phasing Plan — breaking the Master Plan into achievable stages based on the City’s priorities and available resources. This roadmap provides Columbia City with a clear path forward for developing the park in manageable, cost-effective phases.

JPR was honored to partner with Columbia City on the creation of this multi-generational park — designed to serve the community for years to come.

‍