Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on maintenance checks of senior fitness corners and playgrounds in public estates and plans to utilise more inclusive design efforts for persons with different abilities and needs

Feb 26, 2021

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how often maintenance checks are conducted on senior fitness corners and playgrounds in public estates, in particular those located near childcare services and schools; and (b) whether there are plans to utilise more inclusive design efforts for persons with different abilities and needs in these community spaces. 

Answer:

Town Councils are responsible for managing and maintaining the common property in HDB estates, including senior fitness corners and playgrounds. Maintenance checks on such facilities are therefore carried out by the respective Town Councils, who will decide on the schedule and frequency of such checks. 

Community spaces such as playgrounds and fitness corners in HDB estates are generally designed to be inclusive and accessible to all. For instance, main footpath routes along these community spaces are designed to be barrier-free, taking reference from the Building & Construction Authority (BCA)’s code of accessibility in the built environment. The selection of playground equipment within playgrounds in HDB estates is also guided by the Singapore Standard SS457:2017, which provides specifications for playground equipment that is for public use. Under this standard, playground equipment should be barrier-free and accessible by the physically challenged. 

All playgrounds in HDB developments since the 2000s are designed to be accessible to wheelchair users and children with different physical abilities and needs. For instance, wheelchair users are able to access ground-level equipment such as play counters and seesaws, as well as play on elevated platforms and slides via transfer platforms and accessible stairways with assistance. Wheelchair-friendly fitness equipment is also provided at elderly fitness corners in new HDB developments since the 2000s. The chest press, for instance, provides strength training and can be accessed directly by wheelchair users. 

With the ageing population in Singapore, HDB is looking into various aspects of health and wellness to enhance residents’ physical, social and mental well-being. For older HDB developments, playgrounds and fitness corners that are designed to be accessible to all can be introduced through upgrading programmes. For instance, improvement works under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) include the replacement of existing playgrounds and fitness corners, and the construction of new ones in existing HDB precincts. A recent initiative that is steadily being implemented in new HDB developments is the introduction of pictograms on precinct signage to help the elderly and those with dementia to better understand the signage. 

HDB recognises the diverse demographics and varying needs of HDB residents, and will continue to plan and design new HDB developments to be universally enjoyed by all.