It is one of ten neighborhoods in Ward 1 of Minneapolis, [4] currently represented by the Council President, Elliott Payne.

It is named after three related items: Columbia Park itself (located within its borders), the park's acquisition in 1892 (the so-called "Columbian" year celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World) and the adjacent suburb of Columbia Heights.

Most of the neighborhood's housing stock dates to the 1940s-1960s with some older Tudor and colonial style homes located on Columbia Parkway immediately north of the park.

It was gradually drained and filled in as the park was further developed, disappearing from city maps by 1914-1915.

[5][6][7] Small businesses are scattered through the neighborhood and also situated along Central Avenue.