A 6.5m rainforest-themed tower will take interactive playground design to a whole new level as the centrepiece of one of the region’s most prized parks.

Sunshine Coast Council has taken community comments on board to create the final piece of the Buderim Village Park puzzle, which includes the enviable new play area.

Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford said the Buderim community’s “green pulse” was just months away from being completed.

Stage 9, now under way, will include the new playground with a shade sail, shelter, park furniture, pathways and landscaping works including a garden arbour.

The tower – featuring multiple slides, hammocks, sensory play and climbing elements – overlooks the play area.

Swings, a seesaw, sand play, tipi carousel, lorikeet springer, log climber and tunnel will provide a variety of play experiences from climbing and swinging to rocking and hanging.

Locals and visitors have been taking in the expansive easterly vistas and gathering to enjoy the lush open space of Buderim Village Park since it first opened in 2012.

Cr Hungerford said it was a humbling experience to watch the park evolve since council purchased the property in 2010.

“It was a vacant 3.4ha piece of land on the corner of Church and King streets which needed a clear vision to transform it into a district-level recreation park,” he said.

“To guide the park’s development, we asked the community to share their ideas and help shape the vision for Buderim Village Park.

“Since then, the park has blossomed in stages and has become part of the town’s identity – a place of nature, active and passive recreation experiences to be enjoyed by everyone of all abilities and ages.

“The path meanders around the Village Green to a spacious lookout offering expansive views of the coastline – a crowd favourite.

“There’s extensive grassy areas which provide lots of room for picnics, little legs to run wild, kick a ball or fly a kite. It’s also a wonderful place to sit quietly and relax.

“The barbecue areas are very popular and the covered stage-area has provided community groups and visitors a place to meet or perform.”

This project is funded by the State Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program in association with Sunshine Coast Council.

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the State Government was proud to deliver for Buderim and the Sunshine Coast.

“The $100 million South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program is designed to help councils progress their investment in new infrastructure and community assets that create economic growth and jobs to local communities,” she said.

“Queensland, and especially the Sunshine Coast, has a great lifestyle, and we’re proud to be making it even better with projects like this.

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“By adding a new playground, seats, tables, and upgrading the existing facilities, we’re not just making a great space for the local community, we’re delivering good jobs for locals, too.

“Thanks to support from the program, Buderim will soon boast an even better space for kids to play and for the whole community to enjoy.”

The works started in June and are expected to be completed by late September this year, weather and site conditions permitting.

For more local parks and playgrounds in your area, visit the council’s Beaches and Parks Directory.

For more information about the project and concept plan, please visit the council’s website.