A nature-inspired playground with a lavender maze, interactive sculptures and climbing frames are just some of the incredible features of a $2b redevelopment at Moonee Valley Racecourse that is opening soon.
A new park with a racing theme will open soon in Melbourne’s inner north.A part of the $2 billion redevelopment of Moonee Valley Racecourse, Tote Park will feature hundreds of trees and shrubs while providing space for community events.
The overall racecourse project will involve the building of 2000 dwellings and creation of more than 20ha of new open space with a botanical theme.
Moonee Valley Racing Club has partnered with developer Hamton and superannuation fund Hostplus on the project.
Hamton executive chairman Paul Hameister said a recent survey of more than 300 local residents had revealed a strong wish for more public open space in the area.
“Our development partnership is proud to play our part in meeting this community need,” he said.
“Tote Park will include the planting of 67 new mature trees, 315 shrubs and around 4000 ground cover plants. These trees and this open space will be intergenerational assets for the Moonee Ponds community and our residents” he said.
A render of Tote Park at Moonee Valley Racecourse. Picture: Supplied
Designed by Tract Landscape Architects, the park will feature lawns with serpentine gardens, flower beds, and a nature-inspired playground including a lavender maze, interactive sculptures, climbing frames, sound tubes and timber crawl-throughs.
It will be available for community events and activities such as outdoor yoga classes, group fitness training, music shows and food festivals.
Also underway is renovation of the original 1931 tote building on the site, which will be transformed into a café.
The Coll family, dad Steven, mum Bec and kids Jesse, Max and Amelie with the first trees and plants to go into Tote Park. Picture: David Crosling
Racing club chairman Don Casboult said: “Tote Park will open up the site for the first time to the surrounding community, and create a new welcome mat for the Moonee Valley Racing Club in the lead up to the 100th running of the Cox Plate this year.”
Due to open in early September, the park will be available before completion of the first-stage of terraces and town houses of in the redevelopment’s Feehan Row.
The 2020 Cox Plate will be run on October 24.
