The Jubilee Park playground, located on the western slopes of Fort Canning Park, is a family-friendly, recreational space. It occupies the spot where the National Theatre previously stood and is a throwback to a time when recreational facilities like the Van Kleef Aquarium and the River Valley Swimming Pool used to be found in the vicinity.
Jubilee Park at Fort Canning Park
Since the Jubilee Park playground opened at Fort Canning Park on 27 May 2019, it has become a popular place for families.
The name Jubilee Park comes from the King George V Jubilee Park, a space which existed from 1935 to 1972.
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Fort Canning Park Playground – Play With a Dose of Nature & History
The major draw for kids and families to Jubilee Park is the outdoor Fort Canning Park Playground, a playground where kids get to enjoy play equipment that blends into the natural environment.
The main play structure at the Jubilee Park playground is a ship-themed play area. This sits in a sand pit close to the escalators that lead up the hill.
The ship playground reminds us of the past when ships would find their way into Singapore’s harbour and how the streams at Fort Canning Hill once provided freshwater supplies.
In the past, there used to be a log playground at the Jubilee Park playground but this is gone.
There is also a swing set at the Fort Canning Park playground at Jubilee Park. Suspended from a metal frame, kids can have fun here swinging facing each other.
There are also swing sets where parents can swing together with their young children.
Other play equipment at the Fort Canning Park Playground include seesaws and wobble boards, some of which can accommodate up to four persons at a time.
The sandy surface of the playground also makes it an attractive spot to bring along their sand toys and enjoy sand play.
Slides Built Into the Slopes
Taking a leaf from the slides at the Admiralty Park playground, Jubilee Park’s playground also has slides which make use of the hilly terrain.
If kids need any incentive to make the climb up the slopes of Fort Canning Hill, these slides should do it.
There are two longer slides as well at the Fort Canning Park playground.
One is a straight that comes down quite quickly from midway up a slope. The other is has a lateral curve in it.
Midway up one of the slopes, kids can also walk across a little rope bridge to reach a wooden platform. The vegetation in front of the wooden platform at the end has grown out but in the past, there would be a view towards Clarke Quay across River Valley Road.
For those who wish to wash up or fill up their water bottles from a fountain, there are two water points at Jubilee Park.
One is located in front of the netted climbing playground, close to the pile of logs.
The other is closer to the Tiong Bahru Bakery outlet at The Foothills.
The Forbidden Spring
Those wish to explore more can make their way up the slope of Fort Canning Hill to reach Pancur Larangan or Forbidden Spring.
This is a re-creation of the legendary spring where the ladies of the ancient courts bathed.
What Else is at Jubilee Park at Fort Canning Park
Also located at Jubilee Park is a Tiong Bahru Bakery outlet at the Foothills.
You can also view a marker that pays tribute to the old National Theatre at the slopes of the park.
A signboard stands in front of where the Van Kleef Aquarium used to be located.
The old turnstiles for people to enter into the now-demolished River Valley Swimming Complex can also be found in front of Tiong Bahru Bakery.
How to Get to Jubilee Park at Fort Canning Park
Jubilee Park at Fort Canning Park is a welcomed spot in the city that families will enjoy. It is located at the junction of Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road.
It can be reached by MRT with the closest MRT station being Fort Canning MRT station. From Fort Canning Station, get out at Exit B and you be Jubilee Park
There is a small car park at Jubilee Park which can be accessed from Clemenceau Avenue.
If you enjoyed this story, we bet that you will also appreciate our guide to visiting the rest of Fort Canning Park.
