Sunshine Coast Council opens new ‘forest adventure’ park area

Sunshine Coast Council has opened an innovative new play space and park featuring a tree-top tower along with shaded areas where students and families can relax in comfort .

Situated in Sippy Downs, the Sunshine Coast’s newest park aims to provide green space for a growing urban community, creating a place that provides nature-based relief with mature trees and social opportunities.

A three-level tower, elevated in the tree canopy surrounded by lofty trees and creeping vines, is a key feature of the first stage of the Sippy Downs Forest Park.

Welcoming the completion of the first stage of the project, Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson stated “this new green heart services the needs of the evolving community and education precinct between the Sunshine Motorway and Sippy Downs Drive. 

“The District Level Park encourages the Sippy Down’s community, as well as surrounding suburbs, to enjoy our thriving outdoors and importantly provides visual respite from the urban environment.

“It’s a Council priority through the Recreation Parks Plan that our outdoor areas create gathering spaces which link people and place, foster community cohesiveness and improve mental health.”

A forest experience can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. It supports active and passive recreation opportunities and is an inviting place for students to take a break.

The park features contemporary shelters and public amenities designed to complement the natural surrounds, as well as a mixture of established trees and open spaces, social spaces for barbecues and a variety of natural seating options.

Construction started on the west and east park areas in June 2022 and was completed by March 2023. The middle section of parkland will be completed at a future stage and is subject to funding.

Connecting pathways, intimate forest experiences, an outdoor classroom and discovery trails will also be interconnected throughout the forest park once the future stages of works are completed, providing for great bird watching and learning experiences.

The new park can be accessed from Botanica Drive, Central Drive and High Street at Sippy Downs. 

Forest Park west includes an amenities building, shelters and barbecues, a playground, pathways, park furniture and lighting, an open space lawn area and revegetation areas.

Images The nature-themed three-level play tower (top), Sunshine Coast Councillor Christian Dickson and Mayor Mark Jamieson with Lucas and Oliver Stratford-Smith at the opening of the space (middle) and the park provides urban relief with mature-trees and plenty of play opportunities (below).