Council members and residents debated whether to rename Columbus Park during a town hall and again in written and oral public comment at the City of Binghamton council meeting. Council Member Middleton summarized the town hall and residents including Lorraine Rogers submitted a written comment opposing the change.

At the council meeting, Council Member Middleton said the previous night's town hall produced a "very great discussion" about renaming Columbus Park and that the session showed the community cares about the issue. Middleton said council members plan to "talk again regarding it and go from there for the next steps."

The debate drew written public comment from Lorraine Rogers, who identified herself as a longtime city resident and described her Italian ancestry. Rogers said she objects to renaming Columbus Park because, in her view, it "erases the history of Italian American people who have resided in the adjacent neighborhood." She suggested alternative names such as "Freedom Park," "Unity Park," or "Liberty Park" and urged the council to consider honoring a local African American leader with the rec center instead.

The town hall and the written comments reflect competing priorities raised in the meeting: some residents and council members favor renaming as part of broader recognition of African American history in the city, while others urged preserving or finding other ways to honor Italian-American heritage in the neighborhood. Middleton told the council the town hall included "very interesting conversation" and that the council will continue community engagement on next steps.

No ordinance to rename the park was introduced or voted on at this meeting. Council members said they intend further discussion and additional opportunities for community input, including a second town hall as the process continues.

Background: At the meeting Middleton noted the city already has memorials and plaques honoring civil rights figures downtown and that the council will consider how to proceed based on ongoing community feedback. The timeline for any formal ordinance or public hearing was not specified at the meeting.