Project Profile
Harmony Stage 7-10
Connecting Community Through Nature and Play
Spanning 450 metres through the southern neighbourhood of Harmony, Stage 7-10 brings together four local parks into one expansive, four-hectare green corridor. Equivalent in size to six and a half international football fields, it forms the natural heart of the community—connecting residents to 60km of pedestrian and cycle networks and delivering generous open space, play zones and social infrastructure.
Details
Location: Palmview, QLD
Opened: July 2024
Project Partners:
- AECOM – Project Designer and Visionary
- Third Place Design – Playspace Design Specialist
- PARX – Equipment Fabrication and Professional Installation
- AVID Property Group – Developer and Equity Contributor
- Sunshine Coast Council – Asset Owner
- JMAC – Project Delivery Principal Contractor
Project Budget: $6.1 million
Project Overview
Designed by AECOM with input from specialist consultants, including Third Place Design, Harmony Stage 7-10 delivers on Sunshine Coast Council’s goal of providing access to parkland within 400m of every home. Thanks to its innovative linear design, more than 90% of Harmony residents now live within just 250m of local greenspace.
Design Process
Third Place Design was engaged to shape the play experience at Harmony Stage 7-10—ensuring the spaces responded to the natural setting, supported intergenerational use, and reflected the overall design vision of connectivity and community wellbeing.
Working closely with AECOM and AVID Property Group, our team developed two distinct but visually connected play nodes across the park: one for younger children and another for more active, older users. The result is an integrated journey through movement, imagination and inclusive design.
From the architecture-inspired play tower at the park’s western edge to the quieter sensory and social zones along the spine, every intervention was designed to encourage collaboration, confidence and creativity—regardless of age, ability or cultural background.
“We know outdoor living is a catalyst for creating a healthy and active lifestyle to which the addition of a new park will further solidify Harmony’s position as a healthy connected community.”
— Anthony Demiris, AVID General Manager (QLD)
The Finished Space
The western play node features an elevated embankment tower with scaffolded climbing routes and fast, winding slides designed to attract residents from across the neighbourhood. Extensive native planting surrounds the tower, inviting exploration and self-directed play beyond the structured elements.
Junior and senior play zones are visually linked but physically separated to support varied levels of challenge and social comfort. Ground-level play panels, tandem swing options and rubber softfall support inclusive access, while three-dimensional climbing and multi-user features support social connection and developmental benefits.
These play environments are part of a broader parkland experience that includes open lawns, shaded seating areas, fitness nodes and a continuous network of paths—supporting everything from casual walks to group fitness and large-scale community events.
Environmental Legacy and Community Impact
With over 900 trees and 25,000 native plants, Harmony Stage 7-10 establishes a “connected canopy” that links urban parkland to adjacent rehabilitation areas and conservation reserves. Integrated stormwater channels, shaded seating and drought-resilient species all contribute to a climate-conscious design that prioritises both environmental function and community comfort.
Already a beloved space for residents, the park supports a range of seasonal activations like fitness classes, family festivals and casual gatherings ,reflecting its role as a true social connector in Harmony’s urban fabric.
As part of the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019–2041, Harmony Stage 7-10 delivers on all five key outcomes: an active, connected, inclusive, vibrant and innovative community space.
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