NParks opens new Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park with features that cater to diverse range of users, including seniors and children with special needs

Residents in the West can now enjoy the benefits of therapeutic gardens and therapeutic horticulture programming closer to home, with the opening of a new Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park. The National Parks Board (NParks) opened its 15^th therapeutic garden at West Coast Park today, marking the halfway point of NParks’ plan to have 30 therapeutic gardens in parks and gardens across Singapore by 2030.

Featuring a Senior Zone and a Children’s Zone, the new Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park is inclusively designed to cater to a diverse range of users including seniors, children with special needs such as autism[1], and wheelchair users. This is the third therapeutic garden located in the west of Singapore[2] and will bring more greenery and its associated health benefits to residents in the area.

Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee officiated the opening of the Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park today. Mr Lee said, “Studies have shown that nature has a restorative effect on our mental health and well-being. Our network of therapeutic gardens in our parks and gardens across the island enriches this interaction with nature, offering spaces for visitors of all ages and abilities. These spaces are thoughtfully designed with people in mind, with landscapes that engage the senses and provide mental relief. The new Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park will provide residents with more experiences to connect with nature. The public can look forward to more of such offerings as we continue to add to our network of therapeutic gardens. We have now opened 15 therapeutic gardens, with one more to be opened at Punggol Park later this year, and we are on track to meet our goal of 30 such gardens by 2030.”

Therapeutic effects of greenery

Several research studies have shown the therapeutic effects of greenery on people. NParks has also worked with institutions on research that offers insights into the benefits of nature exposure on the health and well-being of residents in Singapore. This includes a study that reflected better well-being outcomes in participants when exposed to a therapeutic garden.

Therapeutic gardens are specially curated and planned to facilitate people’s interactions with nature, to improve the well-being of visitors to such gardens. Designed using evidence-based design principles, each area within the therapeutic garden is planned to provide visitors with a serene and tranquil environment.

New Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park for a diverse range of users

The 7,600 sqm Therapeutic Garden located in Area 2, near Carpark 2, is open for all park users to enjoy. Each area within the garden is planned to provide visitors with a serene and tranquil environment.

A prominent feature is the landscape mounds scattered across the garden that serve multiple functions – they  create semi-enclosed spaces for activities such as exercise, allow visitors to immerse themselves amidst the natural landscape, encourage children to play and explore (with bridges between mounds), and provide viewpoints at varying heights. These mounds can also be used as a way-finding feature for children with special needs to observe and familiarise themselves with the area before engaging in activities.

The garden is also designed to support therapeutic horticulture, which involves using nature-related activities to improve physical and mental well-being. By participating in specially designed therapeutic horticulture activities such as gardening, visitors can experience health benefits such as increased concentration, relief from mental fatigue, reduced stress, and improved overall emotional well-being.

The design of the Senior Zone emphasises accessibility, with barrier-free access in most areas. The Senior Zone includes a Sensory Path, Hands-on Planting Zone, and an exercise area that is wheelchair-friendly, promoting senior mobility and interaction.

The Children’s Zone was conceptualised with the use of design techniques[3] [4] [5] that cater to children with special needs. It includes a Hands-on Planting Zone and outdoor classroom, a Multi-sensory Zone, a Hyperactive Play Zone comprising the Nature Interactive Experiences Zone and Active Play Zone, and two Relaxation Zones.

Therapeutic horticulture programmes for the community

NParks will work with various community partners and community care organisations to facilitate therapeutic horticulture activities at the therapeutic garden. Volunteers from Nature Kakis Chapters will organise therapeutic horticulture activities such as making scent bags, designing seed mandala, and guided tours of the therapeutic garden. NParks has also reached out to community care organisations located in the vicinity of West Coast Park to encourage them and their beneficiaries to use the therapeutic gardens and benefit from therapeutic horticulture programmes.

The development of the Therapeutic Garden at West Coast Park was supported by contributions from the Tote Board and the estate of Mrs Gertrude Looi. Organisations and individuals interested in supporting efforts to further our City in Nature vision through the development of therapeutic gardens can contact the Garden City Fund, NParks’ registered charity and IPC, at garden_city_fund@nparks.gov.sg.

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