Missing the playgrounds from your good ol’ days? Let us take a stroll down memory lane
Most of these playgrounds were built in the ’70s and 80’s, with the iconic mosaic tile design. The structures were modelled after dragons, regarded as the king of legendary creatures in Chinese folklore. This gave rose to the majestic dragon-themed playgrounds at Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.
Ang Mo Kio Dragon Playground
The most iconic of them all, the Ang Mo Kio Dragon playground still stands proudly overlooking the neighbourhood of Ang Mo Kio Ave 3. While it managed to retain its nostalgic mosaic scales, it has lost its old sand pit due to hygiene concerns.
It remains as one of the last structures in Ang Mo Kio that its long-term residents can fondly visit to relive the good old days.
Toa Payoh Dragon Playground
There was uproar in the community when it was first announced that the playground was to be scrapped along with the buildings around it as part of a renovation project. Bloggers such as Jerome Lim stressed on its importance as part of our heritage.
It eventually escaped demolition and stands proudly today among the new mushroom of buildings around it.
Circuit Road Dragon Playground
No less majestic than its counterparts, Circuit Road’s mini dragon playground is a simple staircase leading to the eye of the dragon where kids can happily look out of before whooshing down the small slide.
Pasir Ris Park Elephant Playground
The elephant playground is an unfamiliar sight with the younger Singaporeans. In the ’80s, there were many playgrounds in Singapore that were animal-themed. Today, this place remains a popular visitor spot, with couples even opting to hold mini wedding photo-shoots here.
Kim Keat Dinosaur Playground
The biggest splash of colours in Kim Keat has to go to the dinosaur playground. It is not only one of the oldest playgrounds in Singapore, but also the oddest – how often can you brag to your primary school friends that you mounted a dinosaur?
The most delightful part of this playground has to be the head of the dinosaur. The flat surface of its snout is marked with little scribbles, in both pens and liquid paper, of the victorious climbers!
Lakeview Adventure Playground
In the nineties, it was considered a great feat if you could scale this 3-metre structure within the seconds it take for someone to finish a cola. A hit among the rowdy boys, this simple playground is mainly just horizontal and diagonal metal bars, complete with a slide for an easier way down and swings for those feeling lazy.
Tampines Pineapple Playground
Did you see this coming? I genuinely thought it would be a durian-shaped one! But then again, it would be dangerous to recreate the spikes of a durian onto a big playground! In any case, this remarkable playground was torn down in 2010.
Tiong Bahru Train Park
Tiong Bahru’s train park deserves an honorary mention too, for standing the test of time as one of the older playgrounds around that still retains its individualistic flavour.
The playground is located a stone’s throw away from Tiong Bahru Plaza. Kids can charge through carriages while the littler ones can dabble with the mini flying foxes and take a twirl on the mini carousel. It remains incredible fun for the residents of Tiong Bahru till today.
Playgrounds Today
Playgrounds today are standardized, with most neighborhood sporting identical playgrounds. It is needless to say that all of them have lost their identity, despite it being much bigger and safer than the playgrounds of yester-years.
We can only fervently hope that we do not lose the last of the old playgrounds.
* Weekender is incredibly grateful to the sources where we found the images. We extend our deepest gratitude to you for playing a part in preserving the rich heritage of our Singapore playgrounds.
By Nicole Lee
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