Founded in 1859, the Gardens is a world-class botanical institution for research, conservation and education. It is also a much-loved green space offering a sanctuary for peace, quiet, leisure and recreation. Whether it is a visit to mark a personal milestone or a first date, the Gardens has always been a People’s Garden – a shared arena for family and community bonding and the custodian of our collective memories.
Over the last two months, the Gardens has been engaging the community to gather ideas and suggestions on how we can strengthen the Gardens’ standing as a premier botanical institution and favourite recreational destination, as well as showcase its rich heritage. We have received some wonderful and inspiring suggestions which included requests to preserve memories, to have more family themed activities as well as to enhance access within the Gardens. Based on these suggestions, we have put together some ideas which could be implemented. We need your feedback to guide us in detailing more specific plans.
Create Memorable Experiences Horticulture
The Gardens aims to connect plants and people by telling the story of the importance of plants to humanity. The Gardens has an extensive collection of palms, cycads, gingers and plants of human cultural significance. We showcase our collections through themed horticultural displays and attractions, such as the Evolution Garden where our cycads are showcased and the Ginger Garden.
We have just launched the new Healing Garden and we have plans for a Foliage Garden. Share with us how we can further showcase our living collections as well as inspire a love for growing them.
Children's Garden
We have received suggestions to have more family-centred activities. The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is a wonderful place for fun and exploration for children to learn about plants. It has played host to over one million children since it received its first visitor in 2007. We intend to expand the Children’s Garden to incorporate more educational displays and programmes and we are thrilled that you would like these activities as well.
Let us have your ideas on the activities and events we can develop for the Children’s Garden.
The Learning Forest
We are developing the Learning Forest to showcase a unique collection of forest trees and plants through various thematic walks featuring giant trees, trees with interesting forms and barks of various textures, a conservation collection of rare fruit and nut species and a bamboo garden. This will open up opportunities for innovative educational and outreach experiences.
Share with us the types of activities and experiences you would like to engage in at the Learning Forest.
National Orchid Garden
Established in 1995, the National Orchid Garden is 16 years old. This is one of our most successful attractions, playing host to some 400,000 visitors annually. It also provides an unparalleled setting for special events and programmes. We would like to make it better so that our visitors can continue to enjoy what many consider as one of the best orchid gardens in the world.
We will be happy to hear your ideas of how we could do this.
Showcase our Heritage
Throughout its long and illustrious history, the Botanic Gardens has played an integral role in Singapore’s cultural, social and economic development. The Gardens was pivotal in laying the foundation for the rubber industry – it introduced and promoted the cultivation of the Para Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), which forever changed the economic landscape of the region and enabled the development of the global automobile industry. The Gardens spearheaded orchid hybridisation and cultivation in the region. It is also home to invaluable herbarium specimens, rare books and botanical paintings that date back to the 1500s.
Tell us how we can showcase our heritage for all our visitors to enjoy.
Enhance Visitor Enjoyment
We received suggestions to enhance visitor experience. Some have suggested a people mover system to improve access within the Gardens. Others have suggested putting in place shower facilities.
Give us your views on how we can balance the needs of all our users.
We also received suggestions to provide more eateries. The Gardens currently offers a range of casual and formal dining experiences. We are planning for a food court offering hawker food options. We will keep this aspect of our visitor offering under review.
Develop Night Experiences
Night time at the Gardens, where the air is heavy with perfume from night-scented trees and the nocturnal creatures come to life, can be a heady experience.
Share with us how you envision the Gardens at night. For example, what are the various night activities you would like to see in the Gardens? Or are there areas where we can sensitively increase lighting?
