The Old Columbia Public Grounds Company (OCPGC) is celebrating its 200th corporate anniversary in 2026.

The idea for the OCPGC was conceived by Columbia town founder Samuel Wright prior to his death in 1811. The company was created in 1814 and became officially incorporated in 1826, with the purpose of administering a grant of land in the new town of Columbia. Through the activities of its board of directors, the OCPGC would go on to establish a water distribution system, create a school, and open the Locust Street and River parks.

In 1854, the OCPGC purchased land from John L. Wright with proceeds from its stock ownership in the Columbia Water Company. The land encompassed the area bounded by Lancaster Avenue; Cemetery Road, now South Sixth Street; Locust Street; and Cherry Street. This area became Locust Street Park.

Notable features of the park include "The Returned Soldier" statue at the entrance at Fifth and Locust streets, which depicts a World War I soldier and memorializes Columbia community members who served in the military from 1776 to 1918. At this location, memorial flowers are laid during the annual Memorial Day Parade. Other monuments are dedicated to Samuel Wright for his contributions to the town, World War II veterans who served aboard submarines, and the donors of the red oak trees planted along the Locust Street side of the park.

Over the years, the OCPGC has donated park ground to the Columbia Public Library for the creation of a new library building in 1960 and to the Columbia School District for the construction of the Washington Institute school in the early 20th century. This building later became the high school and then Park Elementary School. In the 1970s, additional ground was granted to expand the size of the school. The Columbia Lions Club and Columbia Rotary Club were given ground in the 1980s to construct a gazebo that hosted many band concerts.

Historically, the park was used as a field hospital for wounded soldiers after the Battle of Gettysburg. It was also a campaign stop for presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in 1960, and Columbia's only Major League Baseball player, Jimmy Sheckard, played on a makeshift baseball field in the park. The park was the site of the opening and closing ceremonies of Columbia's Bicentennial in 1988, as well as Old Home Week activities in 1905 and 2005. It was the site of a ceremony on the first anniversary of 9/11.

The park is currently used for the annual Memorial Day service, hosted by the United Veterans Council of Columbia; the Thunder on the River Car Show, sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club; the Lions Club's Summer Concert Series; St. Paul Lutheran Church's annual 9/11 memorial service; Arbor Day ceremonies; and the Merchants Association of Columbia's Christmas tree lighting in November. Community members and visitors line the Locust Street side of the park to watch the United Veterans Council's Memorial Day Parade each May and the Lions Club's Mardi Gras parade in October. The park is also the first stop on Create Columbia's annual garden tour. Previous events have included Halloween Haunted Tours and the former Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce's Antique, Art and Craft Show. The park is used for photos by wedding parties and Columbia High School students headed to prom and the May Day celebration. It will also be part of Columbia's 300th anniversary celebration in June.

The park is legally considered private rather than public, although it is available for use by the general public. Those using the park must be organized groups that have sufficient liability insurance and sign a lease agreement for their event.

The OCPGC is still managed by a volunteer board, which currently consists of president Andy Ohrel, vice president Bill Kloidt Jr., secretary and treasurer Mark Zeamer, John Meshey, Steve Deets, Jack Gamby, Jeff Seibert, Glenn Bachert, and Tom Fleckenstein. To join, a person must own real estate in the Borough of Columbia. The board serves as financial fiduciaries for the park, and it maintains the park with help from the Columbia Borough Highway Department, the Columbia Park Rangers, the Columbia Lions Club, and the Columbia High School National Honor Society.

Each year, the board holds a fundraising drive to assist in the upkeep of the park. Plans for the coming years include sidewalk repairs and maintenance or removal and replacement of many of the trees in the park. To donate, call Kloidt at 717-201-5134.