Adventure awaits kids at new nature playgrounds

Kids on the Sunshine Coast have two exciting new playgrounds to explore after Sunshine Coast Council gave the playgrounds at Cotton Tree Park and Pierce Park major makeovers.

Division 8 Councillor Jason OPray said the playgrounds included modern, unconventional play equipment to keep kids entertained.

“Both playgrounds are fantastic areas for kids of all ages – we’ve done something a bit different with the designs and the results are great,” Cr OPray.

“The Pierce Park playground is a life-sized snakes and ladders board, complete with board squares, slides, and ladders made of natural stone.

“There’s also lots of fun to be had at Cotton Tree with the ‘nature play’ elements, including timber, stone and sand, providing the perfect area for imaginations to run wild.

“My chief playground testers – Lily, 10 and Jay Jay, 7 – have been to both parks and have given them five stars.

“The upgrades were part of $183 million Council’s Capital Works Program and show our ongoing investment in the region’s recreational facilities.”

Fast facts

• Natural playgrounds have the additional benefit of providing children with more opportunities than typical pre-formed playgrounds to develop gross-motor skills.*
• Contact with nature has been associated with a number of health benefits for children, such as improved cognitive function, increased creativity, improved interaction with adults, reduced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and reduced rates of aggression.*
• You can search for parks and playgrounds across the region, by location and features, with Council’s online Facilities and Recreation Directory.