PICK OF THE CROP

Family fun in an ornamental orchard is the name of the game at the new Orchard Park.

Designed and constructed by Fleming’s Landscapes and its design team, Flow Design Studio, Orchard Park sits at the heart of a new residential community in Tarneit, west of Melbourne, Victoria.

Residents and visitors to the new Orchard Estate and its recently completed central park can relax and play in the beautifully constructed open space that was designed to engage people of all ages.

Working closely with project developer APD Projects, the feature park was established by bringing together the hallmark horticultural expertise of Fleming’s Nurseries with the architectural understanding of its design house Flow Design Studio, which was then delivered by the expertise of the team from Fleming’s Landscapes.

The inhouse collaboration delivered by Fleming’s produced a unique outcome, which included a huge super-advanced tree craned into position to sit neatly within a circular cutout in the park’s bespoke-designed shelter.

The park aims to offer people places to play, relax, gather, exercise and meet. Play equipment was chosen to cater to children of all ages, with climbing elements like a custom tractor engaging the imagination.

Plants feature en masse, with the park surrounds, avenues and playspace itself forested by advanced trees that present the promise of a mature landscape sooner rather than later. The open greenspace portion of the park is encircled by double plantings of Malus (crab apple) varieties; hugely ornamental trees with white and pink spring blossoms that will really deliver in years to come. In addition, large natural boulders double as landscape features and fun climbing objects.

Other features of the park include a nature-based playspace for children aged up to 10 years, including a custom play tower with double slides. Envisioned by Wes Fleming and designed inhouse by Fleming’s team of designers, architects and craftspeople, the tower was constructed by Activity Playgrounds. The significant structure features internal levels, outlooks, nets and slides, making it a highly functional play opportunity that doubles as an iconic architectural element in the estate.

“We really wanted to see some seriously fun elements in this park, and while the site is lovely and flat, we needed to add some visual interest. The tower was an opportunity to do this in a creative way,” Wes explained.

“The park is a showpiece of horticulture meeting design, with loads of amazing feature trees that will grow over time to become real statements within the park.”

Having undertaken works encompassing design, horticultural planning, plant installation and park construction, along with play equipment design and installation, and ongoing maintenance, the Fleming’s team are justifiably proud of the end result in Orchard Park — and so are its grateful residents.

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PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client APD Projects
Location Tarneit, Victoria
Landscape Architect Fleming’s Landscapes & Flow Design Studio
Plant Supply Fleming’s Nurseries
Installation & Maintenance Fleming’s Landscapes

COMPANY
Fleming’s Landscapes