In 2023, Flemington’s Manager of Arboriculture, David Da Silva, came to Fleming’s with a vision for the revitalisation of the Flemington Racecourse Members car park, a project designed to completely enhance the space by resurfacing the area and installing a plethora of advanced trees.
David engaged with Fleming's design house, FLOW Design studio, to ensure the architectural vision for the project reflected the requirements for the site, with canopy being the centrepiece of the project. He also worked closely with the resident tree expert, Leanne Gillies, on tree selection.
The first step was for FLOW Design Studio to develop a plan that would more than double the sites previous canopy count removing 34 trees and replacing them with a staggering 81 trees!
Many of these included super-sized advanced trees, grown to order, and carefully planned to balance native and ornamental trees offering year-round interest, appeal and most importantly shade and canopy cover in the summer months.
Grown to Fleming's exceptional high standards and carefully managed to ensure all trees are uniform and impressive from the day of installation, Leanne worked with the internal team to ensure an intense growing regime was followed and ensured the impressive results thus far.
The first installation of the project was made in June this year and included Fleming’s stunning 300L Quercus bicolor ‘American Dream’ (a purple foliage Oak), and vibrant evergreen 300L Lophostemon confertus (commonly known as Queensland Box). These trees will form the eastern end of the carpark.
"In line with our heritage management plan, we’re enhancing both the amenity and green footprint of the space — a project that’s been more than three years in the making. Our iconic Members Carpark is a high impact space that was starting to look tired and dishevelled. We knew that working with Fleming’s and their landscape architects, we’d be able to achieve a superior outcome – and it’s finally underway," explained David.
“The final renovation will see the area completely revitalised with a look that will set a standard for the racecourse from the moment visitors park their car. We are confident the new style and look of the area will mature in the years come, to become an iconic space. We are thrilled to be working with a heritage business like Fleming’s, to ensure its success."
The site has been designed to be a flexible space that is not only for parking but can be utilised as an event location, an impressive welcome mat for VRC members and visitors alike.
More trees are planned for the second installation in the coming months that will see the Western end of the car park planting project completed and ready for the 2026 Spring Race Carnival.
Visit Flemings via the links below to learn more
