Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area, commonly referred to as Cosmo Park, is a city park in Columbia, Missouri. At 533 acres (2.16 km2),[1] it is the largest park in Columbia. It is also the location of the annual Show-Me State Games.

Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area
Map
TypePublic Park
LocationColumbia, Missouri
Coordinates38°58′25″N 92°21′47″W / 38.973523°N 92.363048°W / 38.973523; -92.363048
Area533 acres (2.16 km2)
Operated byColumbia Parks and Recreation

History

edit

The park is built on the location of the former Columbia Municipal Airport. The runways were rebuilt as parking lots, and the old layout of the airport can be seen in aerial imagery.[2]

On September 17, 2007, the park was proposed as a possible location for Columbia's third high school.[3] On October 10, 2007 City Council rejected this proposal.[4]

Activities in the park

edit

Sports

edit

L.A. Nickell Golf Course

The park features a par 70, 18-hole golf course that is open year-round (weather permitting). The course has no formal dress code; golf carts, a driving range, and lessons are all available.[5]

Columbia Skate Park

 
Cosmo Skate Park

The park contains a 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) skate park that was opened in 1999.[6] The skate park was built with the help of skateboarders and inline skaters.[7]

Additional sports facilities available:[1]

  •  
    View of interior of Antimi Sports Fields, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
    Antimi Sports Complex - eight baseball/softball/tee-ball fields.
  • Football fields - six
  • Horseshoe pits - twelve
  •  
    Race Car Track, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO on April 3, 2023
    Remote control car track
  •  
    Image of Roller Hockey Rink behind the Skate Park, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
    Roller hockey rink
  •  
    Kids playing soccer on a soccer field at Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
    Soccer fields - nineteen
  •  
    Tennis Courts, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
    Tennis courts - eight
  • Volleyball courts - six sand, one grass

Trails

edit

Several trails wind through the park:[1]

  • Cosmo Nature Trail - (1.75 miles, dirt). This trail wanders through a heavily wooded nature area and wetlands.
  •  
    Bear Creek Trail Access sign, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
    Bear Creek Trail - (4.8 miles, limestone gravel). This trail runs along Bear Creek and connects the park to the 75-acre (300,000 m2) Albert Oakland Park.
  • Cosmo Fitness Trail - (1.25 Miles, asphalt). A hard surface trail open to walkers, bikers, and skaters (no motorized vehicles).
  • Rhett's Run Mountain Bike Trail - (2.4 miles, dirt). A mountain bike course.

Playground

 
View of Cosmo Playground at sunset, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO

The park features a sizable playground, which was renovated in the last few years.

References

edit
edit

38°58′25″N 92°21′47″W / 38.973523°N 92.363048°W / 38.973523; -92.363048