Bayliss Park
Rate this placeNearby: Kirn Park Kanesville Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bayliss Park is a public space located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, near the border with Nebraska.
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Summary
While technically not in Nebraska, it is a popular destination for those visiting the state. The park is named after James Bayliss, a prominent businessman who donated the land for the park in the 1890s.
There are many good reasons to visit Bayliss Park, including its central location, beautiful landscaping, and historical significance. The park is home to a number of monuments, including a statue of Abraham Lincoln, a World War II memorial, and a fountain that was recently restored to its original condition.
Other points of interest include a bandshell that hosts concerts and other events throughout the year, a playground for children, and a walking trail that loops through the park. The park is also home to a number of events and festivals, including the annual Celebrate CB festival, which features live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities.
Interesting facts about Bayliss Park include the fact that it was once home to a zoo, which included a number of exotic animals such as lions, tigers, and monkeys. The park was also the site of the first public basketball game ever played in Council Bluffs.
The best time of year to visit Bayliss Park depends on your interests. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, the summer months are a great time to visit. If you prefer cooler weather and fall foliage, the autumn months are ideal. And if you're interested in holiday festivities, the park is decorated with lights and other decorations during the winter months, making it a popular destination for families during the holiday season.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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