SINGAPORE – “Playgrounds” are becoming dynamic urban “playscapes” with three new installations along the scenic Punggol Waterway.

No longer just comprising utilitarian play equipment, these outdoor play areas include larger-than-life totems of pencils, an Instagram-worthy crocodile structure and a kinetic flora and fauna installation.

These were the winning designs of the inaugural Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Play@Punggol design competition held in 2023.

Unveiled in March along the 4.2km Punggol Waterway, the three installations are Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape at the promenade near the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre; Pencils by the Water at the promenade adjacent to Waterway Point; and Wow, A Crocodile! near Adventure Bridge.

When Singaporean product designer Raul Vlajic first glimpsed the Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape by day, he was struck by how the installation’s design of butterflies and dragonflies invited passers-by to join in the fun.

The interactivity “keeps to the essence of what a playground should be, and gives movement through the kinetic butterfly and dragonfly features”, says the 25-year-old Hougang resident.

He often takes a 45-minute bicycle ride through the Punggol Park Connector to Punggol Waterway to view the installation.

“There are also light elements, which made me go again at night to see how the lights interact with the surroundings. This was a whole new experience – it not only provided ambient lights to interact with the play space, but also added a fun after-dark element.”

Singapore’s public play spaces have evolved from concrete structures in sand pits since the 1970s to narrative-driven neighbourhood landmarks in the 2010s, through collaborative efforts.

According to OpenStreetMap, a free, open-source collaborative mapping platform, there are at least 1,400 playgrounds in Singapore, with about 70 per cent of play areas located in HDB precincts.

HDB has also pioneered placemaking – creating public spaces that are vibrant, meaningful and enjoyable for the community – through playgrounds that weave local lore.

This can be seen in iconic designs such as Toa Payoh’s dragon playground – a terrazzo-clad symbol of communal identity – and Tampines’ fruit-themed structures, which pay homage to the precinct’s agricultural past.

Together, URA and HDB have shifted towards immersive experiences in playscapes th...