Cosmo Park
| Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Columbia, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 38°58′25″N 92°21′47″W / 38.973523°N 92.363048°W |
| Area | 533 acres (2.16 km2) |
| Operated by | Columbia Parks and Recreation |
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. Many soccer, football, lacrosse, softball, baseball, golf, mountain bike, and skateboard tournaments and events are hosted at Cosmo.[2]
History
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.[3]
On September 17, 2007, the park was proposed as a possible location for Columbia's third high school.[4] On October 10, 2007 City Council rejected this proposal.[5]
Activities
Facilities
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.[6]
Columbia Skate Park
The park contains a 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) skate park that was opened in 1999.[7] The skate park was built with the help of skateboarders and inline skaters.[8]
Additional facilities
- Antimi Sports Complex - eight baseball/softball/tee-ball fields.
- Football fields - six
- Horseshoe pits - twelve
- Remote control car track
- Roller hockey rink
- Soccer fields - nineteen
- Tennis courts - eight
- Volleyball courts - six sand, one grass
- Playground
Trails
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 - (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.
References
- ^ a b "City of Columbia - Official Government Website". www.como.gov. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area (Cosmo) - Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau". Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
- ^ "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Northeastern Missouri". www.airfieldsfreeman.com. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "A resolution has been proposed to offer a local park as a possible site - Columbia Missourian". www.columbiamissourian.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Parklands off limits as school site
- ^ "L. A. Nickell Golf Course and Driving Range, 1800 Parkside Drive, Columbia, MO". www.gocolumbiamo.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Columbia Skate Park
- ^ "Skate Park History". www.gocolumbiamo.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2025.