Douglass Park Basketball Court Design to Honor Local History

New court plans shift focus from honoring Mizzou coach to recognizing community legacy

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The design plans for upgrades to the basketball courts at Douglass Park in Columbia, Missouri have been revised to honor the local history of the Moonlight Hoops program and Douglass High School, rather than originally recognizing a beloved Mizzou women's basketball coach.

Why it matters

The change in the court design plans reflects an effort to better recognize the community's own sports heritage and legacy, rather than focusing solely on a connection to the university. This shift aligns with the park's role as a hub for local residents and youth.

The details

The basketball court upgrades at Douglass Park were initially intended to feature design elements honoring University of Missouri women's basketball coach Willie Cox. However, the city has now decided to pivot the court design to instead highlight the history of the Moonlight Hoops program, which has long been a staple of the park, as well as the legacy of the former Douglass High School.

  • The original court design plans were set in 2025.
  • The revised design plans were finalized in February 2026.

The players

Douglass Park

A community park in Columbia, Missouri that features basketball courts and has long been a hub for local sports programs.

Moonlight Hoops

A longstanding basketball program based at Douglass Park that has provided recreational opportunities for the community.

Douglass High School

A former high school in Columbia that closed in the 1980s, but whose legacy is still honored in the community.

Willie Cox

A beloved women's basketball coach at the University of Missouri.

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What they’re saying

“Recognizing the history and legacy of this park and community is so important. I'm glad the city listened to feedback and revised the court design plans.”

— Sarah Johnson, Douglass Park resident (Columbia Tribune)

What’s next

The city plans to begin construction on the Douglass Park basketball court upgrades in the spring of 2026.

The takeaway

This story highlights how community input can shape the development of public spaces to better reflect local history and identity, rather than prioritizing connections to larger institutions.