We thank Dr Rebecca Chan for her feedback (A well-designed playground helps children grow; Jan 12).

The Adventure Playground @ Canberra which Dr Chan referred to in her letter, is the first playground conceptualised, designed and built in partnership with the community under HDB's pilot Build-A-Playground initiative.

In providing a playground that would suit the needs of the community, we involved some 1,800 members of the Canberra community living in the surrounding blocks, as well as children and educators from the nearby pre-school.

Through a series of design workshops, roadshows and surveys, the children shared their favourite play activities and the kind of playground they would like to have, while educators gave suggestions on the types of play activities and components that could help develop children's social, physical and cognitive abilities.

The result is a unique tree house and kelong inspired playground design that incorporates all their ideas. Designed in consultation with a team of professional playground specialists, it features a tube slide; a complex rope system which encourages climbing and builds balance and upper body strength; as well as hammocks and a bench swing that the children can rest on together as they have conversations with their playmates.

Besides providing ideas and suggestions, the members of the community were also involved in putting the playground together.

Under the guidance and supervision of the professional playground specialists, they came together to install the playground equipment and witness its opening.

When it was completed, a third-party certified playground safety inspector was also on site to run a thorough final check before the playground was opened for members of the community to enjoy.

Eileen Neo (Ms)

Director (Policy & Planning)

Housing & Development Board