Following the award of the design consultancy tender for Jurong Lake Gardens (JLG) Central and East in October 2016, the National Parks Board (NParks) invited the community to give feedback on the winning consultant team’s proposal.

On 26 November, NParks launched an exhibition at the Canopy @ J Link to gather public feedback on the proposal. Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, officially opened the exhibition. Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations, also attended the event.

Minister Lawrence Wong (fourth from left) and Minister Grace Fu (fifth from left) viewing the model of Jurong Lake Gardens with NParks CEO Mr Kenneth Er and Ms Kartini Omar, Group Director of Jurong Lake Gardens, NParks. (Photo credit: NParks)

As Singapore’s new national garden in the heartlands, JLG is envisioned to be a people’s garden where families and the community can come together. The 90-hectare Gardens comprise JLG Central (the Chinese and Japanese Gardens), JLG East (a promenade fronting the future Science Centre along the eastern shore of Jurong Lake) and JLG West (renamed from Jurong Lake Park).

Plans for JLG Central and East

Keeping in mind the need to preserve nature and memories, the appointed consultant team developed a masterplan that focuses on four key areas:

• Tropical Horticulture and Garden Artistry
• Nature and Sustainability
• Community
• Science

While JLG West will focus on the restoration of natural habitats and nature-themed family recreation, JLG Central will feature tropical horticultural gardens within a natural and rustic setting.

Unique tropical flora including flowering trees, ornamentals, and edibles will be cultivated in artistically created gardens alongside ponds, water terraces, and streams that feature in aquatic gardens.

Artist’s impression of the Edible Show Garden, which showcases unique fruits and vegetables in landscape displays to inspire the community. (Photo credit: NParks)

Artist’s impression of the Aquatic Gardens that will feature a diversity of aquatic
plants including water lilies and lotuses. (Photo credit: NParks)

The Gardens aspire to showcase sustainable features that will be a model for other developments in Singapore. They include the conservation of nature to sustain ecological functions, the use of science and technology to create energy-efficient and comfortable outdoor environments, and water-sensitive designs that remediate water with plants and landscapes.

Familiar structures including the pagodas, stone boat, Bonsai Garden and Japanese guesthouse will be repurposed for new uses that complement the garden spaces where community activities and events can be held.

Artist’s impression of the Nature Rambling Trail, which runs through a restored native swamp forest where children can learn more about native plants and habitats. (Photo credit: NParks)

Artist’s impression of the Pagoda Picnic Ground, which is centred on the seven-storey pagoda encapsulating memories of the existing Chinese Gardens. (Photo credit: NParks)

Science and technology will be used to demonstrate horticultural advances in plant cultivation, display, and management, as well as to create energy-efficient and comfortable landscapes. The new Gardens will offer smart-enabled visitor services and ample amenities, including F&B and diverse recreational activities.

A Garden for Everyone

JLG West is scheduled to be completed in 2018, while JLG Central and East will be progressively completed from 2020 onwards. NParks had previously engaged the public in the design of JLG West and considered their suggestions for incorporation into the next phase of development.

Visitors to the public exhibition on JLG Central and East voting for the proposed features they liked. (Photo credit: NParks)

At the exhibition, visitors pen down their ideas and thoughts for the Gardens on sticky notes. (Photo credit: NParks)

NParks hopes to generate the same level of public interest and feedback for JLG Central and East through its public engagement sessions, which included exhibitions from 26 November to 11 December 2016 and townhall/roving exhibitions from December 2016 to February 2017.

You can find out more information about JLG and provide your suggestions at https://www.nparks.gov.sg/juronglakegardens.