From empty field to vibrant space: Whampoa Park wins inaugural HDB award for landscape features

SINGAPORE – More than 900 Whampoa residents had a say in shaping their neighbourhood park, bringing about the first pet park in the estate.

The lawn space at Whampoa Park, another suggestion from residents, has been used for community activities such as movie screenings and disc golf – where players throw a disc at a target – since the park opened in 2023.

Whampoa Park’s transformation from a largely empty field into a vibrant and inclusive space won recognition at the 2025 edition of the annual HDB Awards as one of four outstanding landscape projects in HDB towns. It is the first time the Landscape Award has been handed out.

The 1.3ha Whampoa Park is located between Whampoa Road and Whampoa River. Designed by architectural firm AGA Architects and consultancy firm Surbana Jurong Consultants, it seamlessly integrates new recreational spaces with the site’s natural features, HDB said on Sept 21.

Mr Oliver Ng, director of landscape architecture at Surbana Jurong Group, said the team sought to preserve the park’s natural heritage.

Boulders found on the field where the park is built were repurposed as seats and way-finding signs to preserve the character of the site, he noted.

Twelve mature trees lining Whampoa Road were also retained, and bird’s nest ferns were planted at the base of the trees to attract biodiversity.

The park’s 400m jogging track was designed to be elevated, like a platform, so it would not affect the mature trees’ roots.

Mr Ng said the park has a unique obstacle-style fitness station called the ninja challenge course, where users can scale stepping blocks and walls. There are also conventional fitness stations and benches with exercise features, such as bike pedals.

A parent-child swing at the park’s green-themed playground has one seat for a young child and another for an adult.

Fragrant and edible plants including pandan, mugwort and orange jasmine are found at a therapeutic garden, one of the park’s quiet spaces. Such plants help to attract birds and butterflies, making the park more lively, Mr Ng added.

HDB deputy director of landscape implementation Hoo Xin Yu said 950 residents were engaged on their views over a year between 2020 and 2021. The residents said they wanted – and got – a space for pets and a lawn for community activities, she added.

Mr Shawn Loh, an MP for Jalan Besar GRC who oversees the Whampoa ward, said the park has become an icon in the neighbourhood, with some children holding their birthday parties there.

“Many members of the community come here with their children, their pets, and they make new friends here,” he added.

Three other parks also won HDB’s inaugural landscape award, including two in the new Bidadari estate.

The 13ha Bidadari Park, which was designed by consultancy firm CPG Consultants and landscape architecture firm Henning Larsen, features a playground with a 5m-tall treehouse, climbing nets and a zip line.

Alkaff Lake at the park serves as a retention pond to manage the growing threat of flash floods amid climate change.

Bidadari Hillock Park was designed around a popular rest stop for migratory birds. More than 15 trees that offer conducive resting spots for birds were preserved in the 1ha park. Over 300 new trees and 7,500 shrubs were also added to create new bird habitats.

A green space in Waterfront II @ Northshore, located along the Punggol Northshore waterfront, won the last landscape award.

Designed by HDB’s Building and Research Institute and Landscape Design Office, the site was transformed from scrubland into a green space with rain gardens and an ecological pond that manages excess stormwater.

The landscape awards will be presented to the winners by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat at the HDB Awards ceremony on Sept 23. Another 33 projects will also be receiving awards for their achievements in design, construction and engineering.