A new multi-purpose half court at Mapleton Lilyponds Park is nearing completion, delivering on strong community demand for enhanced recreational facilities in the area. The $135,000 project represents a significant investment by Sunshine Coast Council in active recreation and accessibility improvements for the Mapleton community.
Community-Driven Project Delivers Multiple Sports Options
The new half court, constructed in the park’s “active youth zone” south of the skate park and west of the existing playground, caters to basketball, netball, and pickleball players. The facility features concrete surfacing, professional hoops, sandstone retaining walls, and new seating areas for players and spectators.
“Construction on the new half court at Mapleton Lilyponds Park is now underway, following community engagement that confirmed support for the project,” said a Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson. “We had received numerous requests for a basketball/netball half court in the area, and Mapleton Lilyponds was selected as the most suitable location.”
The inclusion of pickleball markings came directly from community feedback during the engagement phase. “In the feedback, residents asked for pickleball to be included, and we’re pleased to have added pickleball line marking to the court,” the spokesperson added.
Strong Community Support Shapes Project Design
Council’s community engagement process in November 2024 revealed overwhelming support for the project, with 87 percent of respondents expressing strong backing for the half court and 81 percent supporting the chosen location.
“We asked how and when the community uses Mapleton Lilyponds Park, if they supported a basketball/netball half court, and if they supported the proposed location for the court,” the spokesperson explained. “Feedback received during the engagement phase helped us understand community interest in the proposal.”
The project timeline saw construction commence in early August 2025, with completion targeted for late October, weather permitting. Council invested the $135,000 from its Minor Capital Works budget to create what officials describe as “a great recreational space and meeting place for our community to enjoy.”
Accessibility Upgrades Address Long-Standing Community Need
Beyond the sports court, the project includes a comprehensive upgrade of the park’s public amenities, addressing a critical gap in accessible facilities for the Mapleton area.
“The Mapleton community also clearly expressed the need to upgrade the public amenity at Lilyponds Park, specifically requesting a People with Disability (PWD) compliant cubicle,” the spokesperson said. “Council listened and worked closely with the community to develop a thoughtful, cost-effective solution that enhances accessibility while preserving existing infrastructure.”
Rather than demolishing the existing amenity building, which was in excellent condition, Council teams developed an innovative internal redesign. The upgraded facility will feature one fully compliant unisex PWD cubicle, one unisex ambulant cubicle, and one standard unisex cubicle.
“This smart, sustainable reconfiguration addresses the lack of a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant toilet in Mapleton, increases overall capacity, and reflects Council’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility and active recreation,” the spokesperson noted.
The amenity upgrade, funded with an additional $40,000 from Minor Capital Works, began construction in mid-August 2025 and is expected to be completed by December 2025.
Sustainable Recreation Strategy
The project aligns with Council’s broader approach to community recreation planning, strategically locating diverse recreational amenities close to residential areas to reduce reliance on vehicular travel and support sustainability goals.
“Council has balanced accessibility, recreational facilities and environmental sustainability by strategically locating a diverse range of recreational amenities close to residential areas,” the spokesperson explained. “This approach enhances community access to leisure opportunities and also reduces reliance on vehicular travel, lowering carbon emissions and supporting broader sustainability goals.”
Flexible Space for Informal Community Use
The new half court is designed primarily for informal, spontaneous use rather than organised competitions or events. “The intent is to provide a flexible, accessible space that encourages spontaneous, unstructured play and casual community use” a council spokesman said.
Construction Progress and Access
Throughout the construction period, the existing skate park and playground have remained open, with pedestrian detours in place to ensure safety. The site car park has operated with slightly reduced capacity during construction to maintain safe working conditions.
Works have included installing subsurface drainage around the court perimeter, concrete surfacing, professional basketball and netball hoops, sandstone retaining walls, and seating areas.
Meeting Community Needs
With the half court now nearing completion, Council considers the Youth Activity Zone at Lilyponds Park complete for its catchment area. “At this stage, there are no plans to further expand the Youth Activity Zone at Lilyponds Park,” the spokesperson said. “With the recent addition of the half court, the park now meets the youth activity needs for its catchment area.”
The park continues to serve diverse age groups, offering walking trails, exercise equipment, and now the multi-sport court with pickleball markings for older residents. “Currently Lilyponds Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities for older visitors including walking trails, exercise equipment and now Mapleton will have this half court space line marked to play pickleball,” the spokesperson noted.
The completion of this project represents a significant milestone for the Mapleton community, delivering both the recreational facilities and accessibility improvements that residents have long advocated for through sustained community engagement with Council.
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