Bethke Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bethke Park is a beautiful park located in the city of Warrensburg, Missouri.


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Summary

The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its numerous opportunities for recreation and relaxation. The park covers an area of 60 acres and features a variety of amenities, including walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds.

One of the main attractions at Bethke Park is its large lake, which is popular for fishing and boating. Visitors can also rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks to explore the lake. The park is also home to a large swimming pool, which is open during the summer months.

In addition to its recreational offerings, Bethke Park is home to several points of interest. The park is home to a historic log cabin that was built in the 1800s and has been restored to its original condition. Visitors can also explore a replica of an old one-room schoolhouse.

Interesting facts about Bethke Park include the fact that the park was once a dairy farm owned by the Bethke family, who donated the land to the city of Warrensburg to be used as a park. The park was established in the 1960s and has been a popular destination for locals and visitors ever since.

The best time of year to visit Bethke Park depends on the activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but the swimming pool and paddle boats are only available during the summer months. The fall is a great time to visit for those who enjoy hiking and nature walks, as the changing leaves provide a beautiful backdrop.

Overall, Bethke Park is a must-visit destination in Missouri for anyone looking for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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