Columbia Parks and Recreation oversees 3,397 acres of park land and maintains 72 parks, 58 miles of trail, and conducts programs at 11 indoor recreation facilities. (Park and facility inventory) A wide array of sports, recreation activities, lessons and special events are available for citizens of all ages. Open space, parks, and trails provide opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of Columbia.
The largest of the parks is the 533-acre Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area. Columbia has eight destination trails – the MKT Nature/Fitness Trail, Bear Creek Trail, Grindstone Creek Trail, Hinkson Creek Trail, County House Trail, Hominy Creek Trail, Scott’s Branch Trail, and South Providence Trail, along with many regional, community, and neighborhood park trails. The 8.9-mile MKT Nature/Fitness Trail connects downtown Columbia with the Katy Trail State Park and provides active recreation while preserving large areas of natural beauty.
The Department is organized into two divisions: Park Services and Recreation Services.
