Speech by SMS Desmond Lee at the Launch of the Therapeutic Garden at HortPark

May 14, 2016

Good morning. I’m happy to see so many of you here this morning for the May edition of the Gardeners’ Day Out, and the launch of our first therapeutic garden in a public park.

Our Green Spaces are for all Singaporeans

Our gardens and parks are important recreational spaces well-loved by all Singaporeans. 
a.     They enhance our quality of life, providing respite from our urban environment. 
b.     More importantly, they are spaces for families and friends to enjoy and create memories together.

Our parks and gardens are for all Singaporeans. When Mr Lee Kuan Yew conceptualised a lush and green Singapore, his vision was that every Singaporean would be able to enjoy green spaces, and not just those who could afford their own private gardens. 
a.     We have kept to his spirit, and have been ensuring that our parks are accessible to all. 
b.     For example, we launched the first inclusive playground at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park last year to enable all kids to play together, whether they are physically able or have special needs. We will be launching more of such parks. 
c.     Choa Chu Kang Park, Springleaf Nature Park and Sembawang Park have also been recognised for their “design for all” elements, such as pervasive barrier-free walkways. 

We must do more, as our demography is changing. 
a.     The number of seniors older than 65 will more than double by 2030. 
b.     Our parks can play a big role in realising our vision to be a nation for all ages where seniors can live actively and age-in-place confidently. 
c.     In fact, the idea of designing parks for our senior population was discussed at the recent SGFuture dialogues. I attended the session where this was discussed and it was very well-received. 

Singapore’s First Therapeutic Garden in a Public Park

I am therefore very happy to launch Singapore’s first therapeutic garden in a public park this morning.

Therapeutic Garden @ HortPark is designed with people in mind. 
a.     It is designed to help visitors de-stress and enhance our mental well-being. 
b.     For instance, it has a restorative zone that provides respite for all our visitors and an activities zone where therapeutic programmes for specific groups will be conducted. 
c.     It also provides customised facilities for the seniors and wheelchair users to participate in gardening and outdoor activities. This supports our Action Plan for Successful Ageing. 

The garden was developed in consultation with Professor Kua Ee Heok from the National University Healthcare System (NUHS), and is based on research in environmental psychology. 
a.     Results from these research programmes have shown the benefits of regular interactions with nature and greenery. 
b.     According to the research, when people find themselves amidst Nature, their minds are directed away from the hustle and bustle of city life, which helps them unwind and de-stress. 
c.     There is also evidence of how gardens can be purposefully designed as part of a holistic rehabilitative process for conditions such as Dementia. 

The concept that our parks and gardens can have therapeutic benefits is actually not new. 
a.     In fact, in one of his speeches more than twenty years ago, Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, “I have always believed that a blighted urban landscape, a concrete jungle destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift up our spirits.” 
b.     Mr Lee was well ahead of his time. His words were recently cited in a National Geographic article this year on how nature enriches and nourishes the human brain to make us healthier, happier, and smarter. 
c.     The time is now ripe for us to bring these benefits to all Singaporeans. 

Future Plans and Ongoing Studies 

This first therapeutic garden is only a start. We will certainly do more. We have plans for a network of therapeutic gardens in parks across Singapore in future. The Therapeutic Garden @ HortPark will serve as a prototype for them. 
a.     NParks will start with two upcoming therapeutic gardens in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Tiong Bahru Park. 
b.     NParks is also partnering the Ministry of Health and exploring partnerships with other agencies to develop therapeutic gardens in their premises. NParks will support these efforts by developing a set of guidelines and design principles for therapeutic gardens. 

We will also continue to collaborate with various organisations to better understand and realise the benefits of horticulture therapy. 
a.     This includes joint research with NUHS on the effects of Horticulture Therapy on seniors’ mental health. I am happy to share that interim findings have been very positive. 
b.     In addition, there is an ongoing project by NParks, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital to study if increased physical activity and park use improves the physical and mental well-being of Singaporeans. 
c.     NParks is also working with the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) to run customised therapeutic programmes here. 
d.     Seminars and workshops are also in the pipeline to strengthen local expertise in horticulture therapy. 

Conclusion

The development of this Therapeutic Garden @ HortPark is a significant step forward towards our vision of a City in a Garden for all ages. 

I hope you will enjoy the facilities at the Therapeutic Garden. I wish all of you an enjoyable morning ahead.