Gold Coast's green spaces are getting a makeover — and locals are finally using them

The City of Gold Coast has quietly spent the last 18 months overhauling 14 neighbourhood parks across Southport, Ashmore, and Labrador, spending $3.2 million on upgrades that go well beyond fresh mulch and new benches. The work signals a fundamental change in how the city is competing for residents' leisure time—one that planners say reflects shifting priorities among younger families and downsizers priced out of Brisbane's property boom.

What's driving the shift? A combination of forces. Property values on the Gold Coast have plateaued for the first time in a decade, bringing younger buyers to the region who expect walkable neighbourhoods and quality public spaces. Meanwhile, fitness trends have moved outdoors. Gyms that once promised everything now compete with free community programs held in local parks, from tai chi classes to boot camps. The upgrade program targets parks that sit within 800 metres of residential streets—close enough for a casual walk but previously overlooked by planners focused on beachfront attractions.

From overlooked to essential

Ashmore Reserve, tucked behind the shops on Southport Road, received $220,000 in renovations completed in April. The council installed a half-court basketball facility, upgraded the existing playground with equipment designed for ages 2 to 12, and added shade structures over the seating areas—critical in a climate where summer ground temperatures regularly exceed 50 degrees Celsius. Three times a week, a local fitness instructor runs free outdoor sessions there. Average attendance has jumped from 12 people to 47 in three months, according to council usage data.

Labrador Park, accessed via Labrador Street near the Southport Yacht Club, got the bigger treatment. The $580,000 upgrade included a new dog off-leash area (60 by 40 metres), a community garden plot system with 24 raised beds, and a weather-protected pavilion designed to host markets and small events. The dog park alone has drawn consistent traffic; the council's visitor counters logged 340 separate visits in May alone. The community garden filled its waiting list within six weeks of opening in June.

What changed the council's approach was data. A 2024 lifestyle survey commissioned by Gold Coast City Council found that 64 per cent of residents over 35 said they'd move to a neighbourhood with better parks and green spaces if the option existed. That figure—nearly two-thirds—landed in council reports and budget proposals. For a city competing with regional alternatives like Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast, the math was clear.

The ripple effect across suburbs

The program doesn't stop at Southport. Robina's King Park got $185,000 in works finishing this month, adding a 2.4-kilometre walking loop with distance markers and benches every 300 metres. Mudgeeraba's Boomerang Park, south of the M1, received renovations to its BBQ and picnic facilities, now managed through a online booking system that tracks usage. In May, Boomerang Park hosted 23 separate bookings; by June, that number doubled.

Council staff acknowledge the work is partly defensive. Brisbane's eastern sprawl means younger families now seriously consider the Gold Coast within their search radius. Neighbouring councils in Logan and Ipswich have launched similar park programs, and some offer incentives like free gym equipment in parks. Gold Coast is betting that access to quality green space—combined with lower property prices—becomes a genuine pull factor.

For residents, the practical takeaway is simple: if you've avoided local parks because they felt underused or poorly maintained, revisit them now. Many now have proper facilities, actual programming, and growing community. Labrador Park's community garden has a waitlist, but the council is planning five additional garden sites across suburbs like Ashmore and Arundel by December. Check the Gold Coast City Council website for park details, or walk past during the early morning or late afternoon—you'll see exactly what's changed.