Unplugging is more important than it ever is in our digitalised world and the need for open spaces is essential for respite away from our concrete jungle. While Jewel Changi Airport and Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar are enticing to visit, this May, put Jurong Lake Gardens on your list of places to go to.
Jurong Lake Gardens is the first national garden in the heartlands of Singapore, following Botanic Gardens and Gardens By The Bay, and brings us one leap forward into being a “garden city”. This May, we let ourselves wander into the beautiful landscapes of Lakeside Garden which we discovered is a place where romantic memories can be made, and where quality time can be spent with family, friends, and our pets.
Here’s why Lakeside Garden deserves your love as “green consciousness” becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives.
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GRASSLANDS
Surround yourself in a tall lalang field for a photo-worthy shot and take shelter in bird hides as you observe wildlife at Grasslands.
MAJESTIC TREES
Capture the majesty of the tall trees surrounding the edges of Jurong Lake that will leave you in awe of nature’s strength.
BOARDWALK
Channel your inner Sir David Attenborough as you stroll down the boardwalk of Jurong Lake Gardens spotting hornbills, water monitor lizards, and families of otters.
OVER A DOZEN PLAY AREAS
WATER PLAY AT CLUSIA COVE
To cool off from the heat, Clusia Cove has play pools that mimic tidal patterns and water movements of coastal shores.
FOREST RAMBLE
The Forest Ramble is an imaginative children’s playground that pulls the little ones away from their digital games to get active. There are a whopping 13 different adventure stations that make up the largest nature playground in the heartlands.
#1 ADVENTURE BRIDGE
Children can learn about courage as they cross Adventure Bridge which is a log bridge with handholds to help.
#2 BUTTERFLY PLAY
The fluttering butterflies in Jurong Lake Gardens are inspiration for Butterly Play which has circular basket swings, swings for two, and hammocks with a view of the bridge that leads into Chinese Garden’s.
#3 CRAB PLAY
Crab Play is a section of interconnecting tunnels made of wooden crates with windows above for kids to pop their heads out of and play peek-a-boo, mimicking how crabs pop out of the sand.
#4 FROG PLAY
Frog Play is where children can make big leaps and jump from one “lily pad” trampoline to another. You can try scoring an Instagrammable jump shot too.
#5 MONKEY PLAY
Monkey Play is made of low ropes for anyone to walk and climb.
#6 OTTER PLAY
Otter Play is a series of logs to test your balancing skills as you climb from one long log to another.
#7 SNAKE PLAY
Climb up the central tower up a tall slide at Snake play and slither down this massive slide for some thrill.
#8 SQUIRREL PLAY
Run and bounce from one wooden platform to another at Squirrel Play which is a test of balance and motor skills.
FUSION SPOON
All the hopping and running around might leave you hungry. For that, Fusion Spoon is a restaurant with light bites, mains, and set meals to fill your rumbling tummies.
They have everything from English breakfast sets, pastas, baked rice, burgers, pizzas, local delights, Japanese sets, and kids meals for families. There is also an ice cream truck at the entrance of Fusion Spoon with fun flavours like Blue Shark and Angel Berry.
REST & RECREATION
ACTIVESG PARK
If you are thinking of working out, ActiveSG Park is a sports facility by SportsSG with has a fitness corner and an indoor gym. Jump into their large outdoor lap pool with views of the garden after sweating it out.
Operating Hours
Daily: 7am – 10pm
PASSION WAVE @ Jurong Lake Gardens
PAssion WaVe—the Peoples’s Association Water Venture—is where you can have fun in an array of water sports such as kayaking and dragon boating in the midst of the stunning views that Jurong Lake boasts.
Operating Hours
Tue to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)
VIEWS TO TAKE IN & JUST BREATHE
LOUNGE BY THE LAKE
Near the entrance of Jurong Lake Gardens are deck chairs you can lay on while taking in the breeze.
ROOFTOP SEATS
On the second floor of ActiveSG Park @ Jurong Lake Gardens are seats on the open rooftop for some peace and quiet as you rest amongst nature.
We hope we gave you enough reason to draw you in to the abundant greenery of Lakeside Garden. As you enter Jurong Lake Gardens, we hope you can find yourselves and peace of mind against the backdrop of outdoor life.
Lakeside Garden
Yuan Ching Road, Singapore
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Admission is free.