Ascot Park Archives - Ascot News

Construction of New District Park for Ascot Underway

Works have commenced on the restoration of the old Ascot carpark located between Lancaster Road, Kitchener Road and McGill Avenue, and its conversion back to a district park.

The 22,373-square-metre triangular piece of land, which is part of the Eagle Farm Racecourse, was once a parkland before it was turned into a military storage and then used as a car park. The refurbishment comes as a result of the Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan and part of an agreement with the Brisbane Racing Club.

“This will be a landmark park for Brisbane, contributing to the more than 2100 parks across our city,” Cr McLachlan said.

“Council worked closely with neighbouring stakeholder, the Brisbane Racing Club, to deliver this project,” he said.

“The Brisbane Racing Club is delighted that Ascot Park will form a key part of this community. It has a long history, from the time that the Queensland Turf Club leased the land to Hamilton Shire Council, creating the original park,” Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Neville Bell said.

“We’re looking forward to the community making the most of Ascot Park and thank Brisbane City Council for their work on the project,” Mr Bell said.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au*

The new parkland will be reminiscent of the 1930s Ascot Park with features such as an architecturally designed rotunda/bandstand with open grassed areas and landscaping as well as seating and picnic spaces, accessible toilet block, and an off-leash dog park area.

The project will also encourage recreational activities with outside gym/fitness area and retained half basketball court as well as a new shaded and fully fenced all-abilities playground with access to play elements like swings, spinning, climbing, sensory, and water play.

The new Ascot district park is expected to be completed by late 2019.

Construction Begins For Brisbane Racing Club’s Restored Ascot Park This February

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ten years ago, members of the Racecourse Precinct Neighbourhood Plan agreed that part of the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) should be turned over to Ascot Park. In particular, the area that covers Lancaster Rd, Kitchener Rd, and McGill Ave, was supposed to be converted as a public park in a bid to create more green space for the residents.

Before the turnover, this triangle of land, surrounded by cement, dirt, patches of grass and scattered trees, served as a car park for members of the club. But in May 2018, the Brisbane City Council revealed plans for the park’s construction.

Work on the public park is expected to February until September 2019. Once completed, the park will have more accessible greenery. It will boast of the main park with tables and benches for families and kids, an outdoor gym and fitness corner, a fenced playground for the children, and an off-leash dog area.

Ascot Park has always part of the Eagle Farm racetrack facilities, which had been built in the 1860s. Hamilton Shire Council used to own and manage the park until it merged with the Brisbane City Council in the 1940s.

During the war, General Douglas MacArthur used Ascot Park as a storage site and parking space for military vehicles. It remained a car park long after the military left and the Brisbane Racing Club took over.

On days when there are no races, the park provided access to the locals but the development will allow for a better facility that the community shall be able to maximise.

According to Councillor David McLachlan (Hamilton), BRC submitted a master plan to redevelop the Eagle Farm estate. Originally, the club wanted to develop townhomes on this triangular area, which he opposed. The Brisbane City Council, however, approved the master plan after BRC agreed it will turn over the park to the community.

Following the release of the design for the park’s construction, BRC chairman Neville Bell commended the Council for a devising a “more appealing” area of the once vast and vacant parking lot.

Removal Of Trees For Upcoming Ascot Park Angers Residents

Preliminary works have begun at the Brisbane Racing Club’s (BRC) car park in Ascot between Lancaster Road, Kitchener Road, and McGill Avenue. This has brought on outrage from the residents upon discovering that mature trees have been removed on the site.

According to the residents, they weren’t informed that the trees were being removed. Environment, Parks and Sustainability Chairman Cr David McLachlan said that the council has begun initial works, which included the removal of 15 dead and diseased trees.

Cr McLachlan also mentioned that community Have Your Say sessions were held mid-May in which the council said the preliminary works include street trimming and the removal of 18 trees and they will be replaced by up to 50 new trees. He also said that the council wrote to the community in May to send a notification about the park creation associated tree works.

However, residents remain firm that they didn’t know about this. Last month, Cr McLachlan took to social media as well as to address the situation.

His post said that the trees were investigated by senior arborists and also reminded residents about two recent incidents where two significant trees in the area fell over without warning. He said that the council is only following the advice of an expert for the safety of the community.

Residents can view the arborist report at his office.