City plans improvements at Albert-Oakland

A new 10-court pickleball complex is in the works for Albert-Oakland city park in northeast Columbia. The city council moved the project forward at its meeting Monday night and scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 2. The pickleball complex is part of $640,000 in improvements slated for next year at the 80-acre park on Blue Ridge Road. Two shelters are also going to be renovated and playground equipment replaced. The city also plans lighting and landscaping improvements. Work is scheduled to begin this winter and be completed by spring of 2026.