It was 9 am on a Sunday morning and residents in Pasir Ris had gathered together under a tent at the park. Young and old, everyone was energised because it was a chance for the community to come together under HDB’s Build-A-Playground initiative and play a part in putting the finishing touches to a new neighbourhood playground.
HDB’s Build-A-Playground Initiative
HDB’s Build-A-Playground initiative actually dates back much further than you might think.
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The concept was first piloted back in 2018 in Sembawang Close. Called the Adventure Playground @ Canberra, it was the first HDB playground to have been co-conceptualised, co-designed and built by the residents living in the area. It is located at Block 334 Sembawang Close.
1,800 residents participated in engagement activities to come up with the playground’s design with 150 involved in co-building the 185-square metre playground. Even the playground flooring was designed by a student from Sembawang Secondary School.
The Adventure Playground @ Canberra was launched by Mr Lawrence Wong, who was then-Minister for National Development, and Dr Lim Wee Kiak, MP for Sembawang GRC (Canberra) on 7 January 2018.
Similar projects were subsequently implemented in more towns under the Remaking Our Heartland programme, such as the River Crab playground at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, completed in April 2025.
We were there on the Sunday morning as another playground build took shape – this time at Pasir Ris Seashell Park.
Building a Playground as a Community
It was a carnival-like atmosphere at the event space at Pasir Ris Seashell Park. With music playing along with entertainers like a magician and balloon sculptor present, everyone was in high spirits as they looked forward to the opportunity to completing the playground together.
The event kicked off with a few words by Mr Sharael Taha, Member of Parliament representing the Pasir Ris East division of Pasir Ris–Changi Group Representation Constituency and Advisor to the Pasir-Ris Changi GRC Grassroots Organisation.
This was followed by a safety briefing by CT Art Creation, the playground specialist responsible for the playground.
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The playground was almost complete and the residents would be putting the final touches to it.
Residents who had signed up to help complete the playground were divided into 10 separate teams. Each team was assigned to work on a particular part of the playground.
Making their way up from the event space to the playground site at the top of the hill, the teams made their way to the respective stations. These stations included installing play panels, bolting on the swings and more.
At each station, CT Art Creation’s operations team members gave a briefing using a diagram on what they had to do. Then everyone got down to work.
Parents and kids worked side by side to fit parts together and tighten the bolts.
Seniors played their part to complete the finishings for the sea monster rocker.
It was a community effort and a chance for kids to get hands-on and assemble the playground elements.
In addition to the efforts to build the playground, residents also helped to plant trees around the park.
It took about an hour for most of the playground components to be assembled. The playground was then given a final inspection to make sure that it was put together properly for kids to play.
A Community Coming Together
At the end of the event, the community had a new playground for all to enjoy. More importantly, it had been a morning where neighbours came together and interacted with each other to build something that they could all call their own.
If you enjoyed this story, we think that you will enjoy reading more about Pasir Ris Seashell Park.
