Cosmo-Bethel Park

About Cosmo-Bethel Park

This 40-acre community park is adjacent to Gentry Middle School. It shares a 12-court tennis complex with Columbia Public Schools, has a fishing lake with a lakeside trail, reservable shelters, playground, year-round restroom, and baseball/softball practice field. In the winter, the lake is stocked with trout for a winter trout fishing program. When the lake ice depth meets the criteria, the lake is opened for ice fishing.

Park amenities

Activity areas

Fields – practice

  • Baseball/Softball

Lakes

  • Fishing Lake

Outdoors

Picnic areas

Restrooms open April 15 – Nov 1 (porta toilets year-round)

Trails

Winter Trout Fishing Program at Cosmo-Bethel Lake

Under a cooperative agreement, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Columbia Parks and Recreation stock trout into Cosmo-Bethel Lake to create an urban winter fishery in central Missouri. The program was initiated in 2003.

One of the goals of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Urban Fishing Program is to increase fishing opportunities and species diversity in urban lakes. Since 1989, the Missouri Department of Conservation has stocked rainbow trout in St. Louis and Kansas City area lakes to provide close-to-home fishing opportunities. Urban winter trout fishing has been so successful in these cities that the program was expanded to include Columbia.

About 2,400 trout are stocked into Cosmo-Bethel Lake during the last week of October. Most of the trout stocked are 10 to 12 inches long; however, some larger fish are also released. 

All trout must be released, unharmed from November 1-January 31. Only artificial baits (no natural or scented baits) can be used from November 1-January 31. After January 31, anglers can harvest trout under statewide regulations (see below).

If you would like to donate to the Winter Trout Fishing Program, there is a donation box on site at Cosmo-Bethel Park or you may send funds to Columbia Parks and Recreation, 1 South 7th Street, Columbia, MO 65201.

For more information about the program, call the Missouri Department of Conservation, 573.884.6861opens phone dialer.

Trout Fishing at Cosmo-Bethel Park

Cosmo-Bethel Bench Donation Opportunities

Bench sites near the playground in Cosmo-Bethel Park are available for adoption to commemorate special events or as memorials to loved ones. Click on the links below for a map of bench locations and for program information (cost, plaque information, sample photos, order form, etc.). The chart below shows which benches are available for adoption.

Program Status
CB 1: Adopted
CB 2: Adopted
CB 3: No longer available – Improvements Underway
CB 4: No longer available – Improvements Underway
CB 5: Adopted
CB 6: Adopted
CB 7: Adopted
CB 8: Adopted
CB 9: Adopted
CB 10: Adopted
CB 11: Adopted
CB 12: Adopted
CB 13: Adopted
CB 14: Adopted
CB 15: Adopted
CB 16: Adopted

Park history

Year Land Acquired: 1971

Purchase Price: $102,000

Funding Source: Public Improvement Fund, LWCF Grant

Dedication Date: October 15th, 1989

The City acquired the 40-acre tract in 1971 with monies from the Public Improvement Fund and a matching federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. The property is adjacent to Rock Bridge Senior High School and was originally called South City Park. In 1975, the City received another LWCF matching grant to begin development of the park. Initial development, including a 8-acre lake, restrooms, picnic shelters, and parking lot, was completed in 1979 and the park was named Bethel Park.

In 1984, Columbia Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club agreed to donate up to $15,000 per year for five years to develop a playground and other needed improvements. In honor of the Cosmo Club’s contribution, the City renamed the park as Cosmo-Bethel Park. In the early fall of 1984, the first large piece of play equipment was installed. In the following years, more equipment and improvements were added including wood deck and sandbox, concrete walkways, gazebo, benches, slides and net climber. Volunteers from the Cosmo Club assisted in erecting the playground and planted hundreds of trees in the park.

In 1990, a sand volleyball court was constructed and a baseball backstop for the new multi-purpose play field was constructed in 1993.

In August 1997, existing Cosmo-Bethel park shelters were dedicated in honor of three Cosmo Club members Dr. Charles A. Leech, Clarence Riechmann, and J. W. Ficklin. 

Tennis Complex History

The Cosmo-Bethel Tennis Court project was planned as a cooperative project between the Columbia Public Schools and the City of Columbia. Construction began in the spring of 2001. Four courts were constructed in Cosmo-Bethel Park and four were built on adjoining Gentry Middle School property. The court layout was designed to achieve an efficient use of the space and to provide an attractive tennis complex for public and school use. All courts are asphalt and lighted. Sidewalks connect City courts and District courts.

Columbia Parks and Recreation’s park planners designed the complex and coordinated the project with the General Contractor, Christensen Construction Company. The total project cost was $398,978, funded equally between the City and the School District. The Mid Missouri Tennis Association donated the windscreens. Landscaping was designed and planted by Columbia Parks and Recreation’s Natural Resources division. A dedication ceremony took place on May 15, 2002 at the site.

In 2003, the USTA Missouri District named Cosmo-Bethel tennis courts as their Facility of the Year.

In 2008, four more courts were constructed, making it 12-court complex.
(See Capital Improvement Project – Cosmo-Bethel Four New Tennis Courts)

1989 Park Dedication

On October 15th, 1989, the playground was dedicated as Grover L. Hawkins Memorial Playground. Hawkins, 1920 – 1984, was a former president of the Cosmo Luncheon Club and a former member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. He was active in the planning and development of many recreational facilities for our community.

1997 Shelter Dedication

In August 1997, existing Cosmo-Bethel park shelters were dedicated in honor of three Cosmo Club members Dr. Charles A. Leech, Clarence Riechmann, and J. W. Ficklin.  1997 Dedication Programopens PDF file .

2008 Park Re-dedication

On October 12, 2008 in conjunction with the One Sky, One World kite flying event, Cosmo-Bethel Park was rededicated in recognition of the major renovations accomplished in 2007 and 2008. Parks and Recreation staff and commission members, City officials, representatives from the Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club, and citizens gathered under the newly constructed Leech Shelter to commemorate the re-dedication of Cosmo-Bethel Park. Many others were busy enjoying the newly renovated park – playing on the new playground, fishing, participating in the kite flying event, playing tennis on both the renovated and new courts, and picnicking.

At 1:00pm a formal program and ribbon cutting ceremony was held. Park staff presented Cosmo Club members new framed maps of the parks the club members have historically supported and have been named in honor of their support – Cosmo and Cosmo-Bethel Parks. Mike Hood, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced that the City would continue to honor Cosmo Club members Dr. Leech and Mr. Ficklin by retaining their names on the two newly constructed shelters.

Re-dedication Programopens PDF file

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

Cosmo-Bethel 2008 rededication

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park

One World, One Sky kite flying event at Cosmo-Bethel Park