Columbia Parks and Rec advances new design for Douglass Park basketball courts
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Parks and Recreation voted unanimously to move forward with a new design of the Douglass Park basketball courts on Thursday, following community debate over a proposed name and theme for the $900,000 renovation project.
In 2023, the city announced that the courts would honor Willie Cox, a former assistant coach of the University of Missouri women’s basketball team who died in 2019. Cox also hosted basketball camps at Douglass Park.
Early design concepts featured MU themes, including a black court with the circle Tiger logo at center court and a second court in gold. Planned upgrades also include new rims, LED lighting and a park shelter.
Some community members raised concerns at the time, saying the designs focused too heavily on the university and did not reflect the broader history of basketball programs that have used the courts.
Anthony Johnson, a Columbia resident and founder of Columbia Supreme Basketball, said he would have liked to see one court recognize the Moon-Light Hoops program. Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll, who was not on the City Council when the project was approved, said the debate highlighted the need for stronger community engagement.
Nearly a year later, Parks and Recreation officials are moving forward with an alternative blue-and-gray design. Under the proposal, one court would feature “Douglass Bulldogs” along the baseline, while the second would display “Moonlight Hoops Est. 1989” along the sideline.
Douglass Park has not had Moonlight Hoops since 2019, however, the Parks and Recreation Department indicated on Thursday that it is trying to get organized basketball back at Douglass Park. During Thursday's meeting, Huffington said that two different groups have discussed hosting weekend tournaments at Douglas Park.
The commission will present the new design to the City Council on Feb. 2. A council vote is anticipated Feb. 16.
Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington said public discussion on the project began in May, with an input meeting held Sept. 29. Approval was delayed after a November committee meeting was canceled, and no meeting was held in December.
If approved, construction would begin immediately, with completion targeted for June. Huffington told ABC 17 News that while they didn't lose any funding from donors due to the change, the city has an obligation to name another court after Cox at a different Columbia park.
