Gardens by the Bay to get children's playground

Far East Organization gives $10 million for the play area

By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 6 Oct 2012

GARDENS by the Bay has netted its biggest sponsorship so far - a $10 million injection of funds from Far East Organization to build a one-hectare children's playground with water-play areas and a rainforest treehouse.

Far East, a private property developer, is the latest among a number of corporations to adopt various sections of the Gardens.

In May, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific donated $2 million for educational resources at the Dragonfly Lake and OCBC Bank gave $8 million for an aerial walkway and a light-and-sound show. Two years ago, soy sauce producer Kikkoman contributed $1 million towards the Kingfisher Lake.

While the Government paid for the garden's basic infrastructure, "extra features" have to be funded by the private sector, said Gardens chief executive officer Tan Wee Kiat at a media event in the Gardens yesterday.

Far East executive director Dorothy Chan said: "Far East Organization is honoured to play a part in investment that will benefit our future generations."

The $10 million will be enough to cover the cost of the infrastructure, landscaping, play equipment and children's programmes.

The water-play equipment, in particular, is specially designed to be safe, fun, hygienic and handicapped-friendly and will not come cheap.

According to Far East corporate affairs director Oh Thay Lee, the organisation was so pleased with the Gardens' playground plans that it made no big changes.

Construction has begun on the attraction, which will be slightly larger than a football field and is slated for completion by June next year.

"This play thing is all because of nostalgia from old folks like us. We all grew up doing this kind of thing where we're in touch with nature," said Dr Tan.

Gardens by the Bay has seen 1.7 million visitors since it opened three months ago, with a million people visiting in the first seven weeks alone. Local residents made up 70 per cent of the visitors.

Dr Tan said the garden, which has already seen some challenges - such as a big storm last Thursday which uprooted 35 young trees - will take root in time.

Next year, the focus will mainly be on operating and maintaining the Bay South section - the biggest and most developed of the three sections in the Gardens.

But visitors can still look forward to new sights in the park. Projects in the pipeline include restaurants in Satay by the Bay and an outdoor cactus garden. The master plan for Bay East is also being drawn up.

Priority will be given to the children's playground, said Dr Tan.

"I wanted to bring a first-class playground that cuts across all economic stratas, that all groups can come to," he added.

Post by Gardens by the Bay.

* It's child's play at Gardens by the Bay
New Children's Garden features tree houses, slides and water play areas
By Lydia Vasko, The Straits Times, 21 Jan 2014

FAMILIES now have another reason to head to Gardens by the Bay, where the Far East Organization Children's Garden was launched yesterday, and is now open free to the public six days a week.

The 1ha garden, located between the Cloud Forest conservatory, Satay by the Bay and the Sun Pavilion, features tree houses, climbing ropes, slides and water play areas for children aged one to 12.

Sand and rubber bottomed play areas are woven among more than 100 species of plants, including the old man palm, yellow jade orchid tree and even a baobab tree from Madagascar. This is to give children a chance to climb trees, dodge hanging vines and swat away low-lying leaves and branches in a garden cum playground, to help them interact with nature.

Designed by Grant Associates, which also designed Gardens by the Bay, the Children's Garden was fully funded by Far East Organization for $10 million. It is the largest donation received by the Gardens to date.

Far East Organization executive director Dorothy Chan, who attended the launch, said: "The flora and fauna in Gardens by the Bay form the perfect backdrop for both children and their families to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the environment in which we live. It is our hope that our children will make the most of the space."

Gardens by the Bay chief executive Tan Wee Kiat and Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee also attended the launch. Mr Lee, who has two young children, believes it is important to expose them to nature.

"An adult tends to admire a garden for its beauty, while a child sees it as a place for exploration, adventure and endless possibilities. This sense of free play gives children the liberty to explore, imagine and create in a way that no smartphone, tablet or game console can," he said.

The garden is open from 9am to 9pm and is closed on Mondays. Facilities include lockers, showers, a basic first aid station and a cafe, which will serve drinks and hot meals from $5.

There is also a 300-seat covered amphitheatre which overlooks the water play areas. Children can splash around to child-friendly tunes such as Hakuna Matata and Circle Of Life from Disney classic The Lion King.

Toddlers have not been forgotten, with a play area boasting miniature slides, climbing rocks and a caterpillar-shaped topiary.

About 50 children from Far East Organization's community organisations Club Rainbow, Down Syndrome Association Singapore and Muhammadiyah Welfare Home were present at the launch.

Hidhir Hassan, 15, a student at Kent Ridge Secondary School, said: "My favourite part was the view from the top of the tree house and riding the slide all the way down to the bottom. It's fun. I want to just play and play."