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AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
From 'playgrounds' to 'playscapes': Punggol sees new play areas with giant pencils, kinetic bugs and a 'crocodile', Lifestyle News
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 also 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 that also serve as social anchors for different communities in Singapore. Vibrant public spaces are key ingredients of a happy, healthy city as they anchor a community's sense of place, support social bonding, and promote wellness and active lifestyles, says Yap Lay Bee, URA's group director of architecture and urban design. Its Play@Punggol initiative allows Singapore-based designers to contribute to enhancing public spaces in the waterfront town through creative installations that showcase its identity, history and environment, while also introducing elements of fun and interaction for residents and visitors. The three winning designs were chosen by a jury, comprising representatives from government agencies, academia and the design community. They looked at 81 submissions and selected the winners based on their potential to activate spaces and engage the community, as well as the buildability of their designs. The winning teams walked away with $12,000 each as prize money, while seven runners-up got $2,000 each. The design competition - organised by URA and supported by the National Parks Board, JTC Corporation and the Singapore Institute of Architects - is among a series of initiatives that involve the built environment industry in co-creating more enjoyable spaces for the public around the island. URA will continue to partner architects and designers to enhance public spaces for a more vibrant Singapore, and will reveal more details when ready, Yap adds. "We are heartened by the responses to these vibrant gathering nodes, with users sharing that the installations are inclusive, educational and photo-worthy landmarks." The Straits Times showcases the three winning designs, as well as five other playscapes around Singapore that draw not only children but adults as well. Winning playscapes 1. Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape The playscape at the promenade near the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre (RSC) comes alive through kinetic elements that engage the senses, featuring outsized and stylised bees, dragonflies and butterflies. Wind chimes respond to the breeze, creating soothing natural sounds. By day, sunlight passing through colourful plexiglass wings and leaf motifs casts vibrant patterns on the ground, adding a playful visual element. Swing-like seats offer gentle movement and a space to rest, blending sensory play with moments of calm. By night, children can turn hand cranks that activate LED light strips, lighting up and spinning the wings of the sculptures of a butterfly and dragonfly for a dazzling effect. The kinetic play design by landscape architecture firm Land Design One embraces the flora and fauna of Punggol's landscape, inviting residents to immerse themselves in an alternate natural world. The design had three main sources of inspiration, says Isabel Bautista, 27, a Singapore-based multidisciplinary designer with a flair for creating immersive, unforgettable experiences. First, the sparse biodiversity at the location was a challenge for the team to create a vibrant ecological focal point. Second, the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre link bridge that connects to Punggol's Heritage Trail provided an opportunity for the team to envision the installation as a transitional landmark - a whimsical threshold between the modern amenities of the RSC and the rich cultural layers of the heritage trail. Third, "crafted linear, vertical forms that mirror the site's existing canvas framework, ensuring the design feels right at home in its surroundings", says Bautista, who has a diploma in architecture from Singapore Polytechnic and a bachelor of arts in product design from Lasalle College of the Arts. She worked with a team of designers from Land Design One that included Kathleen Lacsina, Brian Baker and Neal Samac. An integral part of the project was in developing a good working relationship with fabricators, which allowed the team to refine every detail through close collaboration. To enhance the sensory experience, the team conducted a series of colour and material workshops focused on the insect and leaf modules. After multiple sessions, they selected translucent acrylics and dichroic films, prototyping light interactions to achieve vibrant ground-level colour reflections. Dichroic films are specialised films that exhibit colour-shifting or iridescent effects. "This project resonates deeply. Growing up in a family of architects and landscape architects, parks were where my siblings, cousins and myself bonded and made lifelong 'park friends'," recalls Bautista. "Post-pandemic, creating spaces for such connections feels especially vital and I hope to give today's children those irreplaceable memories." 2. Pencils by the Water Twelve giant colour pencils are lined up in a grid near the promenade adjacent to Waterway Point, an idyllic spot for residents of Punggol as well as visitors to gather, snap photos or take in the waterfront sights. Inspired by the simple writing tool, the installation reflects the carefree joy of drawing and doodling. There are also chalkboards built into the structures that allow residents of all ages to draw on them and unleash their creative impulses. Pencils by the Water is the brainchild of DP Green's landscape architect Poornima Bargotra. DP Green is a specialist arm of the DP Architects group, focusing on landscape architecture and arboriculture consulting. Together with colleague and fellow landscape architect Thun Kongsub and director Yvonne Tan, Bargotra worked with URA's design brief, which called for repurposing 12 salvaged logs. The team worked closely with URA and playground equipment contractor Swan-Li (Singapore) to transform design sketches into something safe, sturdy and full of character. Although the team wanted to retain each log as a whole piece, they had to think of workarounds that included designing it in modular parts for on-site assembly, as transporting the full log as a single piece posed a logistical challenge. This modularity allowed the integration of features such as information panels and chalkboards. "We wanted to use the logs in their purest form possible," says Bargotra, 33. The installation reimagines the nostalgic 12-colour-pencil set as oversized elements for children and adults to interact with. "I grew up in Chennai, where daily life naturally flows into and on the streets. From shaded corners to open spaces, the bustle of life can be found within these places, creating a strong sense of community and connection to place," she says. That early connection to people and places shaped how she thinks about public spaces. Since moving to Singapore more than a decade ago, she has been inspired by how the city incorporates nature into daily life in ways that are harmonious and natural. Her teammate Thun, 36, a Thai national who has lived in Singapore since 2011, adds that the pencil is also a strong metaphor for the notion of potential, resonating with a young, evolving Punggol town. "Just like a blank page waiting to be filled, this space invites the community to 'pencil in' its own future," he says. He has a strong personal connection to Punggol, having spent nearly a decade working on projects in the area, including One Punggol and Punggol Green, both located near the installation site. "Good design can be transformative, not just visually, but also in shaping the everyday lives and well-being of the community. That's a big part of why we chose to participate in this campaign organised by URA." Since being installed in 2025, Pencils by the Water has become a visual landmark, say Bargotra and Thun, who have returned to the site several times while working on other landscape design projects in the vicinity. Punggol resident Tiffany Chin, who works in hospitality, says the installation is a refreshing and inspiring space for the community. "I love how it blends creativity, sustainability and play so seamlessly," says the 40-year-old mother of two children. "My kids are always excited to visit. It's more than just art - it's part of our everyday lives now. I really hope to see more installations like this across Punggol, as they make our neighbourhood feel alive, thoughtful and full of possibility." 3. Wow, A Crocodile! Drawing inspiration from crocodiles that once inhabited the Punggol region, the installation captures the moment a crocodile emerges from the water. Conceived as both a sculptural landmark and an interactive experience, the installation invites visitors of all ages to explore its cavernous interior, snap Insta-worthy wefies and engage in playful discovery along the sandy banks. Designer Jovan Tong, also from Land Design One, says that, together with his team, their research pointed to mangrove swamps near Alligator Shoal, an area off Punggol's coast. In the 1960s, when Punggol was still largely a kampung settlement, there was a sighting of a 7m-long crocodile that terrorised villagers, a story that fired the public imagination at the time. "We wanted to bring this forgotten tale back to life in a way that's playful and approachable, especially for children," says Tong, 27, who worked on the design with Kathleen Lacsina, Choong Yu Huan, Brian Baker and Neal Samac, all designers at the same firm. Land Design One, which is based in Singapore and Manila, works on design projects across the Asia-Pacific region. "The crocodile's open mouth was conceived as a bold, symbolic form capturing the moment just before it pounces - and frozen in time. Its body has textured blue acrylic panels to mimic crocodile scales, designed to offer a tactile and sensory experience that invites touch, curiosity and interaction," Tong adds. His colleague Choong, who lives close to Punggol Waterway, says he was surprised to learn that there used to be crocodiles in the area. "My family cycles through Punggol every week and that was the motivation to be involved in this competition with Jovan," says the 25-year-old. "Besides being a play space, the installation also tells a story that is unique to Punggol. It adds a visual and emotional identity to the space, especially for younger generations who will grow up with it as part of their everyday environment. Over time, I hope it becomes an iconic feature, something people instantly recognise and associate with Punggol Waterway." Punggol resident Paul Lim says the crocodile installation brings a smile to his face every time he walks past. It reminds him of Punggol's unique history in the earlier part of the last century, when saltwater crocodiles were spotted in the fishing villages there. "It was just made available to the public about two months ago after its construction, but already I see children and their parents there, enjoying a break from their busy day, immersed in the play space," adds Lim, a former educator who is in his 50s. "In time, I hope it becomes a neighbourhood landmark like the dragon playground in Toa Payoh or the watermelon playground in Tampines." Climbing, jumping and sliding in heartland playscapes From a Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens to a treehouse escape in Bidadari Park, these five playgrounds across Singapore put a new spin on playtime. Bird's-eye view of playtime in Sengkang The Rivervale Shores playgrounds in Sengkang, completed in August 2023, turn playtime into a bird's-eye adventure with three unique "bird's nest"-themed zones. Kids can lounge in rubber hammocks, dig into the sand pit or scramble up to lofty platforms for views of the surroundings. The ground-level trampolines invite little ones to bounce sky-high. Children will also be intrigued by the balancing sticks - just like the twigs birds collect - that challenge them to test their skills. Nature fun in Bidadari At the heart of Bidadari Park's nature playgarden stands a striking 5m-tall "treehouse" beside a sprawling tembusu tree. Completed in September 2024, Adventure Playwoods is a nature-themed playground that invites children to climb, balance and explore with its slides, adventurous climbing nets and a tunnel suspended high above the ground. The park is managed by NParks. Reaching the top of its "treehouse" rewards young adventurers with sweeping views of the park. For more excitement, children can opt for a thrilling zip line or get creative building sandcastles in spacious sandpits - making this garden a haven for hours of fun. Fruitful romp in Tengah Feeling hungry? Plantation Grange in Tengah, completed in December 2023, is bursting with fruit-themed playgrounds that take a leaf from its past as a 1950s fruit plantation. At Ong Lye Garden (Block 132A), a giant yellow pineapple beckons. Children can explore its interior and go down a green slide. Over at Durian Paradise (Block 132C), older children can tackle durian-shaped climbing towers, swings and spiral slides. Little ones can traverse a "fruit farm" near Block 131A, with play zones shaped like pineapples, watermelons and bananas, plus a bright red "lorry" to hop on. Sky-high play at SkyParc@Dawson Step into a wild adventure at Dawson Road's Eco-Jungle Playground, which was completed in 2020. Nestled between Blocks 96A and 96B, it invites children to explore timber sculptures of Singapore's indigenous spotted wood owl and Sunda slow loris, turning playtime into a mini-safari. Set within the lush, park-like grounds of SkyParc@Dawson, the playground is just one of many green spaces woven through the estate. There are also three Insects Hotels, the first of their kind for a public housing project. These are designed to recreate natural habitats to help local biodiversity thrive. Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens At Forest Ramble, the biggest nature playgarden in the heartland, playtime transforms into a wild adventure across 2.3ha of Jurong Lake Gardens, packed with surprises at every turn. Children set off on a journey across over 10 imaginative adventure stations in Lakeside Garden, each inspired by fascinating local creatures of Singapore's freshwater swamps. Fancy soaring like a grey heron? Try the zip lines. Want to channel your inner squirrel? Bounce and climb through treetop trails. Or splash and scamper like an otter at the otter-inspired station. The playscape, which opened in 2019, is managed by NParks. It is designed for everyone, with inclusive features that welcome children of all abilities to join in the fun. Whether children are gliding, leaping or inventing their own escapades, the playground invites every child to connect with nature and let their imagination run riot. [[nid:519528]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Playtime in Punggol: New ‘playscapes' with giant pencils, kinetic bugs, crocodile playground
(Clockwise from left) Playscapes Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape by Land Design One, Pencils by the Water and Wow, A Crocodile! PHOTOS: URA, COURTESY OF DP GREEN, 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, a n 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 that also serve as social anchors for different communities in Singapore. Vibrant public spaces are key ingredients of a happy, healthy city as they anchor a community's sense of place, support social bonding, and promote wellness and active lifestyles, says Ms Yap Lay Bee, URA's group director of architecture and urban design. Its Play@Punggol initiative allows Singapore-based designers to contribute to enhancing public spaces in Punggol through creative installations that showcase the waterfront town's identity, history and environment, while also introducing elements of fun and interaction for residents and visitor s. The three winning designs were chosen by a jury, comprising representatives from government agencies, academia and the design community. They looked at 81 submissions and selected the winners based on their potential to activate spaces and engage the community, as well as the buildability of their designs. The winning teams walked away with $12,000 each as prize money, while seven runners-up got $2,000 each. The design competition – organised by URA and supported by the National Parks Board, JTC Corporation and the Singapore Institute of Architects – is among a series of initiatives that involve the built environment industry in co-creating more enjoyable spaces for the public around the island. URA will continue to partner architects and designers to enhance public spaces fo r a more vibrant S ingapore, and will reveal more details when ready, Ms Yap adds. 'We are heartened by the responses to these vibrant gathering nodes, with users sharing that the installations are inclusive, educational and photo-worthy landmarks.' The Straits Times showcases the three winning designs, as well as five other playscapes around Singapore that draw not only children but adults as well. Winning playscapes 1. Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape The colourful design of the Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape invites residents to immerse themselves in an alternate natural world. PHOTO: URA The playscape at the promenade near the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre comes alive through kinetic elements that engage the senses, featuring outsized and stylised bees, dragonflies and butterflies. Wind chimes respond to the breeze, creating soothing natural sounds. By day, sunlight passing through colourful plexiglass wings and leaf motifs casts vibrant patterns on the ground , adding a playful visual element . Swing-like seats offer gentle movement and a space to rest, blending sensory play with moments of calm. By night, children can turn hand cranks that activate LED light strips, lighting up and spinning the wings of the sculptures of a butterfly and dragonfly for a dazzling effect. The kinetic play design by landscape architecture firm Land Design One embraces the flora and fauna of Punggol's landscape, inviting residents to immerse themselves in an alternate natural world. A giant stylised dragonfly at the Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape. The hand cranks activate LED light strips, spinning the dragonfly's wings for a dazzling effect. PHOTO: URA The design had three main sources of inspiration , says Ms Isabel Bautista, 27, a Singapore-based multidisciplinary designer with a flair for creating immersive, unforgettable experiences . First, the sparse biodiversity at the location was a challenge for the team to create a vibrant ecological focal point. Second, the upcoming Punggol Regional Sports Centre (RSC) link bridge that connects to Punggol's Heritage Trail provided an opportunity for the team to envision the installation as a transitional landmark – a whimsical threshold between the modern amenities of the RSC and the rich cultural layers of the heritage trail. Third, 'crafted linear, vertical forms that mirror the site's existing canvas framework, ensuring the design feels right at home in its surroundings', says Ms Bautista, who has a diploma in architecture from Singapore Polytechnic and a bachelor of arts in product design from Lasalle College of the Arts. She worked with a team of designers from Land Design One that included Ms Kathleen Lacsina, Mr Brian Baker and Mr Neal Samac. An integral part of the project was in developing a good working relationship with fabricators, which allowed the team to refine every detail through close collaboration. A giant stylised bee at the Flora and Fauna Kinetics Playscape. PHOTO: URA To enhance the sensory experience, the team conducted a series of colour and material workshops focused on the insect and leaf modules. After multiple sessions, they selected translucent acrylics and dichroic films, prototyping light interactions to achieve vibrant ground-level colour reflections. Dichroic films are specialised films that exhibit colour-shifting or iridescent effects. ' T his project resonates deeply. Growing up in a family of architects and landscape architects, parks were where my siblings, cousins and myself bonded and made lifelong 'park friends',' recalls Ms Bautista. 'Post-pandemic, creating spaces for such connections feels especially vital and I hope to give today's children those irreplaceable memories.' 2. Pencils by the Water Twelve giant colour pencils are lined up in a grid near the promenade adjacent to Waterway Point, an idyllic spot for residents of Punggol as well as visitors to gather, take photos or just take in the waterfront sights. Inspired by the simple writing tool, the installation reflects the carefree joy of drawing and doodling . T here are also chalkboards built into the structures that allow residents of all ages to draw on them and unleash their creative impulses . Each of the 12 pencils was repurposed from a salvaged log. PHOTO: URA Pencils by the Water is the brainchild of DP Green's landscape architect Poornima Bargotra. DP Green is a specialist arm of the DP Architects group, focusing on landscape architecture and arboriculture consulting. Together with colleague and fellow landscape architect Thun Kongsub and director Yvonne Tan, Ms Bargotra worked with URA's design brief, which called for repurposing 12 salvaged logs. The team worked closely with URA and playground equipment contractor Swan-Li (Singapore) to transform design sketches into something safe, sturdy and full of character. Although the team wanted to retain each log as a whole piece, they had to think of workarounds that included designing it in modular parts for on-site assembly, as transporting the full log as a single piece posed a logistical challenge. This modularity allowed the integration of features such as information panels and chalkboards. (From left) Designers Thun Kongsub, Yvonne Tan and Poornima Bargotra are the team behind Pencils by the Water. PHOTO: URA 'We wanted to use the logs in their purest form possible,' says Ms Bargotra, 33. The installation reimagines the nostalgic 12-colour-pencil set as oversized elements for children and adults to interact with. 'I grew up in Chennai, where daily life naturally flows into and on the streets. From shaded corners to open spaces, the bustle of life can be found within these places, creating a strong sense of community and connection to place,' she says. That early connection to people and places shaped how she thinks about public spaces. Since moving to Singapore more than a decade ago, she has been inspired by how the city incorporates nature into daily life in ways that are harmonious and natural . Her teammate Mr Thun, 36, a Thai national who has lived in Singapore since 2011, adds that the pencil is also a strong metaphor for the notion of potential , resonating with a young, evolving Punggol town . 'Just like a blank page waiting to be filled, this space invites the community to 'pencil in' its own future,' he says. He has a strong personal connection to Punggol, having spent nearly a decade working on projects in the area, including One Punggol and Punggol Green , both located near the installation site . 'Good design can be transformative, not just visually, but also in shaping the everyday lives and well-being of the community. That's a big part of why we chose to participate in this campaign organised by URA. ' Inspired by the simple writing tool, Pencils by the Water reflects the carefree joy of drawing and doodling. PHOTO: DP GREEN Since being installed in 2025, Pencils by the Water has become a visual landmark, say Ms Bargotra and Mr Thun, who have returned to the site several times while working on other landscape design projects in the vicinity. Punggol resident Tiffany Chin, who works in hospitality, says the installation is a refreshing and inspiring space for the community . 'I love how it blends creativity, sustainability and play so seamlessly,' says the 40-year-old mother of two children. 'My kids are always excited to visit. It's more than just art – it's part of our everyday lives now. I really hope to see more installations like this across Punggol, as they make our neighbourhood feel alive, thoughtful and full of possibility.' 3. Wow, A Crocodile! Drawing inspiration from crocodiles that once inhabited the Punggol region, the installation captures the moment a crocodile emerges from the water. Conceived as both a sculptural landmark and an interactive experience, the installation invites visitors of all ages to explore its cavernous interior, snap Insta-worthy wefies and engage in playful discovery along the sandy banks . The installation Wow, A Crocodile! is inspired by the reptiles that once inhabited Punggol. PHOTO: URA Designer Jovan Tong, also from Land Design One, says that, together with his team, their research pointed to mangrove swamps near Alligator Shoal, an area off Punggol's coast. In the 1960s, when Punggol was still largely a kampung settlement, there was a sighting of a 7m-long crocodile that terrorised villagers , a story that fired the public imagination at the time . 'We wanted to bring this forgotten tale back to life in a way that's playful and approachable, especially for children,' says Mr Tong, 27, who worked on the design with Ms Kathleen Lacsina, Mr Choong Yu Huan, Mr Brian Baker and Mr Neal Samac, all designers at the same firm. Land Design One, which is based in Singapore and Manila, works on design projects across the Asia-Pacific region . 'The crocodile's open mouth was conceived as a bold, symbolic form capturing the moment just before it pounces – and frozen in time. Its body has t extured blue acrylic panels to mimic crocodile scales, designed to offer a tactile and sensory experience that invites touch, curiosity and interaction,' Mr Tong adds. His colleague Mr Choong, who lives close to Punggol Waterway, says it was surprising to learn that there used to be crocodiles in the area. 'My family cycles through Punggol every week and that was the motivation to be involved in this competition with Jovan ,' says the 25-year-old. 'Besides being a play space, the installation also tells a story that is unique to Punggol. It adds both a visual and emotional identity to the space, especially for younger generations who will grow up with it as part of their everyday environment. Over time, I hope it becomes an iconic feature, something people instantly recognise and associate with Punggol Waterway. ' The Wow, A Crocodile! installation has a wavy body that reflects the flow of Punggol Waterway. PHOTO: URA Punggol resident Paul Lim says the crocodile installation brings a smile to his face every time he walks past. It reminds him of Punggol's unique history in the earlier part of the last century, when saltwater crocodiles were spotted in the fishing villages there. 'It was just made available to the public about two months ago after its construction , but already I see children and their parents there, enjoying a break from their busy day , immersed in the play space ,' adds Mr Lim, a former educator who is in his 50s. 'In time, I hope it becomes a neighbourhood landmark like the dragon playground in Toa Payoh or the watermelon playground in Tampines.' Climbing, jumping and sliding in heartland playscapes From a Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens to a treehouse escape in Bidadari Park, these five playgrounds across Singapore put a new spin on playtime. Bird's-eye view of playtime in Sengkang The playgrounds at Rivervale Shores are inspired by birds' nests. PHOTO: ST FILE The Rivervale Shores playgrounds in Sengkang, completed in August 2023, turn playtime into a bird's-eye adventure with three unique 'bird's nest'-themed zones. Kids can lounge in rubber hammocks, dig into the sand pit or scramble up to lofty platforms for views of the surroundings . The ground-level trampolines invite little ones to bounce sky-high. Children will also be intrigued by the balancing sticks – just like the twigs birds collect – that challenge them to test their skills. Nature fun in Bidadari Primary 1 pupil Aw You Rong playing on the flying fox zipline within Adventure Playwoods of Bidadari Park. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI At the heart of Bidadari Park's nature playgarden stands a striking 5m-tall 'treehouse' beside a sprawling tembusu tree. Completed in September 2024, Adventure Playwoods is a nature-themed playground that invites children to climb, balance and explore with its slides, adventurous climbing nets and a tunnel suspended high above the ground. The park is managed by NParks. Reaching the top of its 'treehouse' rewards young adventurers with sweeping views of the park. For even more excitement, children can opt for a thrilling zip line or get creative building sandcastles in spacious sandpits – making this garden a haven for hours of fun . Fruitful romp in Tengah Plantation Grange in Tengah is inspired by fruit and greenery. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Feeling hungry? Plantation Grange in Tengah, completed in December 2023, is bursting with fruit-themed playgrounds that take a leaf from its past as a 1950s fruit plantation. At Ong Lye Garden (Block 132A), a giant yellow pineapple beckons. Children can explore its interior and go down a green slide. Over at Durian Paradise (Block 132C), older children can tackle durian-shaped climbing towers, swings and spiral slides. Little ones can traverse a 'fruit farm' near Block 131A, with play zones shaped like pineapples, watermelons and bananas , plus a bright red 'lorry' to hop on . Sky-high play at SkyParc@Dawson These Insects Hotels are designed to recreate natural habitats to help the local biodiversity thrive. PHOTO: ST FILE Step into a wild adventure at Dawson Road's Eco-Jungle Playground, which was completed in 2020. Nestled between Blocks 96A and 96B, it invites children to explore timber sculptures of Singapore's indigenous spotted wood owl and Sunda slow loris , turning playtime into a mini-safari . Set within the lush, park-like grounds of SkyParc@Dawson, the playground is just one of many green spaces woven through the estate. There are also three Insects Hotels, the first of their kind for a public housing project. These are designed to recreate natural habitats to help local biodiversity thrive. Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens A 2019 photo of Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens West. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO At Forest Ramble, the biggest nature playgarden in the heartland , playtime transforms into a wild adventure across 2.3ha of Jurong Lake Gardens , packed with surprises at every turn . Children set off on a journey across over 10 imaginative adventure stations in Lakeside Garden, each inspired by fascinating local creatures of Singapore's freshwater swamps. Fancy soaring like a grey heron? Try the zip lines. Want to channel your inner squirrel? Bounce and climb through treetop trails. Or splash and scamper like an otter at the otter-inspired station. The playscape, which opened in 2019, is managed by NParks. It is designed for everyone, with inclusive features that welcome children of all abilities to join in the fun . Whether children are gliding, leaping or inventing their own escapades, the playground invites every child to connect with nature and let their imagination run riot. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Better Growth Stock: Coupang vs. Sea Limited
Coupang continues to grow as it gradually expands overseas. Sea scaled back its ambitious growth plans, but its business is still wobbly. The more focused e-commerce leader looks like the better investment. 10 stocks we like better than Coupang › Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) and Sea Limited (NYSE: SE) were both popular growth stocks during the buying frenzy in meme and growth stocks in 2021. Coupang, which owns South Korea's largest e-commerce platform, went public at $35 on March 11, 2021. Its stock closed at its all-time high of $50.45 just four days later. Sea, which owns Southeast Asia's leading e-commerce platform Shopee and the video game publisher Garena, went public at $15 per share on Oct. 20, 2017. Its stock set its record high of $366.99 on Oct. 19, 2021. Today, Coupang's stock trades at about $27 a share, while Sea trades at roughly $163. Both stocks retreated from their all-time highs as their growth slowed and rising interest rates compressed their valuations. Should you buy either of these stocks as a turnaround play today? Coupang, which is based in Seattle, still generates most of its revenue in South Korea. It conquered that market by building its first-party fulfillment centers within seven miles of 70% of South Korea's population, drawing more merchants to its third-party marketplace and expanding its Prime-like Wow subscriptions with more features and digital perks. Its number of active customers grew from 14.9 million at the end of 2020 to 23.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. Its ranks of Wow subscribers more than doubled from 6 million in 2020 to 13 million in 2023, but it hasn't updated that figure since then. That expansion was driven by the introduction of the Coupang Play streaming media platform in 2020 and upgrades for its Rocket Delivery, Rocket Fresh grocery, and Coupang Eats food delivery services. Coupang also launched its marketplace in Taiwan in 2022 and acquired the British online luxury marketplace Farfetch in 2024 to expand beyond South Korea. From 2020 to 2024, its revenue rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26%. It also turned profitable on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis in 2023 and 2024. The company's profits rose as it expanded its higher-margin third-party marketplace, automated more services, and sold a larger mix of Farfetch's higher-margin luxury products. From 2024 to 2027, analysts expect Coupang's revenue and GAAP EPS to grow at a CAGR of 13% and 130%, respectively. Those are incredible growth rates for a stock that trades at just 1.4 times this year's sales. Its valuations might be compressed by the near-term concerns about tariffs and trade wars, but it could command a much higher valuation if those headwinds dissipate. Sea, which is based in Singapore, turned Shopee into the top e-commerce platform across Southeast Asia and Taiwan. However, that expansion was driven by steep discounts, shipping subsidies, and other loss-leading strategies that were difficult to sustain. Sea relies on Garena's gaming profits to subsidize Shopee's losses. That strategy worked as its hit battle royale game Free Fire grew like a weed during the pandemic. Unfortunately, Free Fire lost its momentum after the pandemic ended. The game was also banned in India, its fastest-growing market, in 2022. At the same time, Shopee's growth cooled as it lapped its big growth spurt during the pandemic. Shopee also faced tougher competition from Alibaba's Lazada and Coupang in its core Southeast Asian and Taiwanese markets, respectively. Instead of capitalizing on its pandemic-driven growth spurt to strengthen its logistics networks, Shopee poured that cash toward expanding into more markets in Latin America, India, and Europe. That was an over-ambitious move that offset its narrowing losses in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Despite those challenges, Sea's revenue still increased at a CAGR of 40% from 2020 to 2024. It also turned profitable on a GAAP basis in 2023 and 2024 as it laid off thousands of employees, reined in Shopee's discounts, and scaled back its ambitious overseas expansion plans. From 2024 to 2027, analysts expect its revenue and GAAP EPS to grow at a CAGR of 20% and 97%, respectively. It expects to strengthen Shopee with new live streaming "social commerce" features, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered automation tools, and an expansion into Vietnam. As for Garena, the company expects Free Fire to keep growing with a new version (Free Fire Max) and more e-sports tournaments. That's a healthy outlook, but its stock looks pricier than Coupang's at 4.6 times this year's sales. Coupang and Sea are both growing rapidly. However, if I had to choose one, I'd stick with Coupang because its business model is more balanced and its stock looks cheaper. Sea is growing at a faster rate but is still overwhelmingly dependent on a single video game -- which is now seven-and-a-half years old -- to drive its long-term profits. That glaring weakness, along with its higher forward price-to-sales ratio, makes it a less attractive investment than Coupang. Before you buy stock in Coupang, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Coupang wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sea Limited. The Motley Fool recommends Alibaba Group and Coupang. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Better Growth Stock: Coupang vs. Sea Limited was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time Out Dubai
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Post Malone announced Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After-Race Concerts
Hold onto your cowboy hats – Post Malone is heading back to the UAE. The multi-platinum, genre-mashing superstar has just been confirmed for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's legendary Yasalam After-Race Concerts, taking over Etihad Park on Friday December 5, 2025. That's right – the Circles and Sunflower hitmaker (and now country chart-topper) will be performing live as part of what's shaping up to be one of the wildest F1 weekend line-ups we've seen. Post Malone is added to a lineup that includes Benson Boone on Thursday, Metallica on Saturday, and Katy Perry on Sunday. From stadium rock to pop bangers and hip-hop fusions, there's something for everyone – and then some. Organised by Ethara, this year's Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the 17th edition of the race, running from Thursday December 4 to Sunday December 7 and if you haven't snapped up tickets yet, you might want to get a move on. With this A-list line-up, they're going fast. Post Malone last lit up the Yas Island stage in 2018 – a performance many fans still rave about – and now he's returning with even more hits under his belt. With Rockstar, Wow, Congratulations and his latest country-crossover single I Had Some Help riding high in the charts, expect sing-alongs, surprises and maybe even some cowboy swagger. The After-Race concerts are exclusively for Grand Prix ticket holders – but you can level up with a Golden Circle upgrade for front-row views. And if you're feeling fancy, check out the deluxe hospitality packages or get general access via the Garden on Yas one-day pass. From Dhs1,025. Fri December 5. Etihad Park, Yas Island, Life in Dubai Don't say 'let's go', say 'yalla': 20 very Dubai words we use every day From Arabic words used in everyday conversation to lingo in apartment adverts Unmissable things to do in Dubai this week Upgrade your week right here Pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city
Korea Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Coupang Play to launch Korea's first free ad-supported streaming service in June
Add-on service Pass, offering access to premium content, to be rolled out as well Local streaming service Coupang Play will be launching the country's first free ad-supported streaming service this June. Under the new model, much of Coupang Play's content library, including original series, domestic and international dramas, films, sports and live news, will be available for free to Coupang members. In exchange, viewers will see ads during playback, presented in both preroll and mid-roll formats. The new service positions Coupang Play as the first major streamer in South Korea to offer full access to a wide range of content without charging a monthly subscription fee, as long as users are willing to sit through ads. Previously, access to Coupang Play was presented exclusively in an ad-free format to users subscribed to the Wow membership, which costs 7,890 won ($5) per month. The Wow membership includes access to Coupang's ultrafast Rocket Delivery service as well as ad-free streaming for Coupang Play. Benefits for existing Wow members will also be upgraded, according to Coupang. Enhanced features include broader availability of 4K ultra high-definition video streaming and multichannel audio, which were previously available for select content. Multichannel audio support enables watching content with surround sound, providing a more immersive experience. Later this year, Coupang Play will offer an add-on service called Pass, which provides access to select genres and premium content such as newly released films, Japanese and Chinese dramas and sports programming. Initially, Pass will be available exclusively to Wow members, with plans to expand access to general Coupang members over time, Coupang said. Further details, including the official launch date of the ad-supported free tier and the Pass subscription, will be announced via the Coupang Play app and the company's official channels, according to Coupang.
