Whether the new Jurong Lake Gardens will have robotic flowers or edible plants is up to you.

A public exhibition showcasing design ideas for the area was launched yesterday at Jurong Point. It includes displays on features residents hope to see. They can vote for the ones they like best. Concepts ranged from nature-themed play areas to vertical greenery displays and solar-powered phone-charging spots.

The consultation exercise, which lasts until the end of next month, was launched by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, who spoke about finding the right balance for developing the gardens. He said: "We will do our best to get this balance right - to retain the natural beauty of the gardens, and also to provide more programmes and more spaces for communities and families to come together."

Plans for the new 90ha gardens were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during last year's National Day Rally. The gardens will stretch from Yuan Ching Road to near Chinese Garden MRT station, where the new Science Centre will be located. The western part of the park will be ready in 2017, while the rest will be completed in phases from 2020.

The new gardens will incorporate the existing Chinese and Japanese gardens, and Jurong Lake Park.

Madam Chua Ah Beh, 72, who has lived in Boon Lay for the past 13 years and was at the exhibition, said: "When I was young, I used to go boating on Jurong Lake.

"I was very happy when I saw the plans because in the future, I can take my grandchildren for walks there."

The exhibition will be at Jurong Point until Tuesday. It will then move to HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, Parkland Green in East Coast Park and VivoCity over the next three weekends.

People can also submit feedback on NParks' website www.nparks.gov.sg/juronglakegardens.

LINETTE LAI