Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Celebrates 5th Anniversary with a Carnival to Raise Funds for Garden Extension

Singapore, 1 November 2012 - As part of the 5th anniversary celebration of Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, the National Parks Board has announced that it plans to double the size of the Children's Garden by 2014. The anniversary celebration, to be held on Sunday, 18 November 2012, will include a fundraising Carnival.

Raising Funds to Create a Bigger, Better Children's Garden

Since it opened in 2007, the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden has attracted a steady increase in the number of visitors, reaching an annual visitorship of more than 200,000.  With the proposed new extension, the Children's Garden will double in size, from 2ha to 4ha. 

While specific details on the theme of the new extension and its facilities are still under discussion, the Children's Garden has set its sights on broadening its engagement to children beyond the current early childhood years, to the age of 14 years. The objective is to foster better appreciation of plants, nature and the environment through providing an interactive learning environment. 

Dr Nigel Taylor, Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, said, "Increasing urbanisation and higher density living have reduced opportunities for kids to venture outdoors and experience the natural world. As Singapore moves towards the City in a Garden vision, the role of the Children's Garden, apart from instilling happy memories in our kids, is also to develop in them a life-long appreciation for nature and greenery."

The estimated cost of expanding the Children's Garden is $4.5 million, of which $2.6 million will come from government funding. Another $1.6 million has been raised from donations.  The remaining shortfall of $300,000 will need to come from coupon sales for the Carnival.  To be managed by the Garden City Fund, the funds collected will be used to expand the Children's Garden.

Highlights of the Carnival

The public can expect a fun-filled day of games, food and entertainment in the beautiful setting of the Children's Garden. Apart from popular arcade games and a bouncy castle for the kids, they can also join Garden Stomp, a garden-themed walkathon for children aged 4 to 12 years old.

Participating partners, including Four Seasons Hotel, Hard Rock Café, The Marmalade Pantry, Salad Stop, Casa Verde, Sushi Tei, Ramly Burger and Garuda Nasi Padang will be serving up sumptuous delights throughout the Carnival.

There will also be balloon sculpting, carnival games and rides, magic shows and performances by edu-tainment company, ToyBox.

Ticketing details

At $50, each booklet contains 15 $2 coupons and 20 $1 coupons which can be redeemed at the Carnival.  The coupons are on sale at the Singapore Botanic Gardens - the Garden Shop, the Library Shop and the Visitor Centre of Jacob Ballas Children's Garden until 18 November 2012.