City unveils new community basketball courts

City of Newcastle has opened two new basketball courts near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets to activate the formerly unused corner of National park.

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The new basketball courts replace the long defunct tennis facilities and sit alongside the recently opened greenspace where the former bowling club building previously stood.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the continued revival of the space within National Park has occurred at the perfect time.

“Following the demolition of the former bowling club building, we created new green space in this inner city park for the community to enjoy,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The addition of the basketball courts makes the location the perfect place for our community to get outdoors to participate in recreation and exercise as the weather continues to warm up.

“I’m pleased to say that the basketball courts have opened just in time for the school holidays and I have no doubt that kids and adults alike will be heading to National Park to shoot hoops over the coming weeks.

“Our outdoor spaces have been coveted by our community during the pandemic and continue to be important contributors to the wellbeing of our people.

The Lord Mayor said the long-term future of the area would be determined through community consultation on the upcoming National Park Plan of Management.

“National Park is a unique site in Newcastle and will play an important part in the liveability of our city centre as the population grows and the CBD moves to the west,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re looking forward to working with the community on the future of National Park, with engagement expected to start before the end of the year.

”National Park is one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves, covering over 20 hectares and is currently home to a range of community facilities including sportsgrounds, netball courts, athletics track and high school.

The northwest corner of the park was formerly home to tennis courts and a bowling club, which was later occupied by charity Life Without Barriers until 2017.

In 2019 City of Newcastle commenced a process to provide safe public access to the northwest corner of the park, including demolishing the Life Without Barriers building and turfing the area for passive recreation. Investigations are currently underway for additional basketball courts at the site.

The National Park Plan of Management review is currently underway, with community consultation set to commence in November and a draft plan to be publicly exhibited in early 2021.

Head to City of Newcastle’s website to find a complete listing of basketball courts throughout Newcastle.

Picture caption: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes officially opens City’s new basketball courts alongside local basketballers and the community.