Published 27 August 2026

Creating summer-ready outdoor spaces where people can stay and play

Summer brings parks, playgrounds and shared outdoor spaces to life. Families stay longer, children play more, and communities make greater use of places designed for gathering, recreation and connection.

But creating a successful summer destination takes more than installing one or two standalone products. Shade, seating, drinking fountains, BBQs, play equipment and social spaces need to work together to support how people use the space throughout the day.

Planning early gives councils, schools, landscape architects and developers more time to consider the right solutions, coordinate delivery and complete improvements before the busiest months arrive.

Think beyond the playground

A well-planned outdoor space supports the complete outdoor experience.

While a playground may attract children and families, complementary amenities such as seating, shade, picnic settings and BBQs encourage people of all ages to stay longer, connect and enjoy the space together.

This “stay and play” approach can increase use, support more active time outdoors, strengthen community wellbeing and deliver greater value from investment in parks, play and recreation facilities.

By bringing the expertise of Urban Effects and Playground Centre together, clients can access coordinated street furniture, park amenities and play solutions through one experienced project team.

The benefits of a whole-of-space approach

Managing multiple suppliers, product lead times and installation schedules can add unnecessary complexity to an outdoor project.

A coordinated whole-of-space approach makes it easier to maintain the wider design intent while aligning products, materials, layouts and delivery requirements from the outset. Urban Effects and Playground Centre can support clients with design input, product selection, manufacturing, supply and installation, helping reduce delays and avoid gaps between different parts of the project.

Everard Reserve is a strong example of this approach in action, bringing together play, shade, seating and supporting amenities within one cohesive outdoor space.

For landscape architects, early coordination of furniture, play and supporting amenities can help create a cohesive outdoor environment while maintaining flexibility around materials, finishes and layouts.

For councils, this could involve pairing a new or upgraded playground with seating, shelters, picnic tables, bike facilities, BBQs and drinking fountains. At Windy Ridge Reserve, play equipment, seating, an accessible picnic setting and a public BBQ give families and community groups more ways to use the space.

For schools, it could mean creating connected play zones alongside table tennis tables, social seating, outdoor classrooms and shaded areas that support learning, recreation and student wellbeing.

For developers and commercial projects, coordinated furniture and recreation packages can help create cohesive outdoor environments across residential developments, hospitality spaces, retail areas and community facilities.

At Seven Oaks Kinloch, Playground Centre and Urban Effects delivered a coordinated recreation package for the residential development, combining play, sport, seating, hydration, waste facilities and bike parking within one complete outdoor environment.

Start planning before the summer rush

Whether the goal is to improve an existing space or to create a complete stay-and-play destination, early planning offers more choices and fewer compromises.

It allows furniture, play equipment and supporting amenities to be considered together, creating an outdoor environment that is easier to deliver and more enjoyable to use.

Planning an outdoor project or upgrade? Talk to Urban Effects about creating a coordinated space that gives people more reasons to stay, play and connect.