Binghamton Lawmakers to Rename Beloved Columbus Park

A popular downtown Binghamton park is about to be rebranded by City Council.

Some Binghamton residents have pushed for the renaming of Columbus Park in recent years.

While the proposal has received support from many people in the region, it has generated a significant amount of controversy from those who want the name to be unchanged.

City Council Majority Leader Rebecca Rathmell said there has been a lot of discussion about the park's name over the last several months since a formal request was presented to lawmakers.

Rathmell told WNBF News the name change is part of the launch of what's being called the "Reimagining Center City" campaign.

Rathmell noted that during conversations about the park's name, a clear concern emerged about the condition of the area. She said the initiative is designed to engage residents to determine "what they want the neighborhood to look and feel like."

Ultimately, the goal will be to encourage investment in the area from Rutherford Street to Exchange Street and Susquehanna Street to Court Street to spur redevelopment. Lawmakers are preparing to change Columbus Park's name to Center City Park.

LISTEN: Binghamton City Council Majority Leader Rebecca Rathmell spoke about the "Reimagining Center City" initiative on WNBF Radio on February 11, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.