Once little more than a patch of grass between Whampoa Road and Whampoa River, Whampoa Park has been transformed into one of Singapore’s most vibrant neighbourhood hangouts – and it just picked up an award to prove it.
The 1.3-hectare park, designed by AGA Architects and Surbana Jurong Consultants, is the first-ever recipient of the HDB Landscape Award, part of the annual HDB Awards announced on September 21. The accolade celebrates Whampoa’s shift from an empty field to a buzzing community hub – a shift made possible thanks to the 950 residents who shared their ideas during the design process.
Those ideas turned into reality: the estate’s very first pet park, a wide lawn now used for everything from movie screenings to disc golf, and a playground complete with a parent-child swing (yes, one seat for you and one for your kid). Fitness lovers can test their skills on a ninja-style obstacle course or stick to conventional workout stations, while nature seekers can wander through a therapeutic garden fragrant with pandan, mugwort and orange jasmine – plants that attract birds, butterflies, and plenty of good vibes.
Designers also made sure to preserve the site’s character: old boulders now double as seats and signposts, twelve mature roadside trees still stand tall, and the jogging track was built on an elevated platform to avoid disturbing tree roots.
Since opening in 2023, Whampoa Park has become a genuine icon of the neighbourhood, hosting everything from engagements to kids’ birthday parties – a far cry from its days as an underused field.
Three other parks also picked up the inaugural HDB Landscape Award: the sprawling 13-hectare Bidadari Park with its treehouse playground and Alkaff Lake, Bidadari Hillock Park, designed around a key stop for migratory birds, and a lush new waterfront green at Punggol’s Northshore.
All four winners, alongside 33 other projects recognised for achievements in design, construction and engineering, will be officially honoured at the HDB Awards ceremony on September 23 by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat.
Looks like Whampoa Park isn’t just a neighbourhood gem anymore – it’s officially one of Singapore’s standout green spaces.
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