6 Uniquely Singapore Playgrounds for Your Next Photoshoot
If you’re not yet a photographer of some sort, now is the best time to be a keen shutterbug. With a myriad of activities curtailed due to COVID-19, this low-intensity activity can be a great substitute for your now-restricted hobbies.
Okay… but what pictures to take?
If you’re really struggling to find subjects to photograph, look no further than Singapore’s very own retro playgrounds. These are the finite survivors from a simpler time, and no one can really say how long they will continue to dazzle under our Singapore sun.
So, do your part in preserving Singapore’s heritage. Pick up your smartphone, DSLR or mirrorless cameras, and snap away!
1. Dragon playgrounds
You’d be hard-pressed to find anything more ‘Uniquely Singapore’ than these old-school dragon playgrounds. Made up of intricate terrazo scales and white cement, these legendary play things used to be a prominent feature in earlier Singapore housing estates.
These dragon playgrounds, particularly the one in Toa Payoh, have morphed into a Singapore icon and adorn the merchandise of many local Singaporean labels. One label even has it as its logo!
Only a few remain currently, but you can’t be sure how long these mythical mosaic monsters will continue to grace our shores. Before they go extinct, you can still find them at these locations:
Full dragon
- Block 28 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
- Block 570 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
Mini-dragon
- Block 58 Circuit Rd
- Lor 1 Toa Payoh
2. Dove playground
No, not the brand promoting female empowerment through its silky lather and bubbles, but the actual dove — the bird.
The Dakota dove — comfortably perched at Block 10 Dakota Crescent.
3. Clock playground
Time and tide waits for no man — Folklore
Not when the hands of the clock stay in place and time stands still. Just like this playground in Bishan Street 13.
A throwback to your simpler years, a reminder of what you were and where you came from. As Kanye chimes in Stronger, “they don’t make ’em like this anymore”.
4. Elephant playground
Again, you’d find it easy to spot these playtime pachyderms all over Singapore over a decade ago. However, modernity hasn’t been kind to these mosaic mammoths. The only one to survive the onslaught is perhaps this mastodon located at Block 125A Pasir Ris Rd.
5. Sampan/bumboat playground
Designed by HDB, the mosaic bumboat has been sailing the sandy seas of Singapore since 1994. Inspired by the Chinese flat-bottomed boats that once plied the Singapore River, the sampan playground has done well to rough out the stormy tide of time. It has got to be THAT eye.
You can find the sampan anchored at Block 623 Elias Rd.
6. Watermelon playground
Besides animals, fruits inspired our playground designers of yesteryears. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mangosteen were favourites but the one that continues to capture the imagination of many remains the watermelon.
Nestled in the bosom of Block 858 Tampines Avenue 5, the red, yellow, green hues of the structure remains vibrant to this day. And if you’re not already feeling thirsty from our scorching hot Singaporean weather, looking at this gigantic watermelon will definitely make you drool.
Go forth and capture!
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s definitely a great one for you to start out with. Clap and/or comment on this post if you find this helpful in your journey.
If you have other playgrounds that are insta-worthy, give us a shout out in the comments below; via e-mail: wethepeepur@gmail.com ; or on our IG: wethepeepur
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P.S. We’ll be having an osem promo deal coming up for National Day, so stay tuned and stay safe ⚡
