The preservation of playgrounds in Singapore

Background: Preservation

Increasing appreciation of the cultural and historical values of these built

A way of anchoring Singaporeans in their Asian identity

Heritage sites have been systematically eroded with the large-scale demolition of parts of the city

Why playgrounds?

.Preserve as many remaining mosaic playgrounds

. Weave memories as the generations pass by

. Create awareness to show that these places have a sentimental value deep down in the hearts of Singaporeans.

Old Playgrounds Present playgrounds

Many of the old playgrounds were designed by our very own Singaporean, Khor Ean Ghee

The plastic playgrounds in the estates nowadays are designs taken from international designers.

Many old playgrounds have a sand base thus enriching the joyful memories and experiences.

Plastic playgrounds nowadays have a rubber base.

Comparisons

Many of the old playgrounds such as the dragon playground and pelican playground are made of mosaic tiles.

Playgrounds nowadays are made of plastic and rubber and all edges are rounded.

Most of the old playgrounds have swings and see-saws. Back then this sight was common.

These days, the sight of swings and see-saws are rare and one would lucky if he had a chance to play on them.

Since the playgrounds back then weren’t as safe as the playgrounds now, children were taught to be cautious and careful when playing on the playgrounds.

Children these days take advantage of the safety measures the playground have and hence do not learn the seriousness of being careful when playing, thus injuring themselves.

When people visit the old playgrounds that they use to play in, they are nostalgic as they remember the many cherished memories of being young and having fun, not caring about the world.

Since the many plastic playgrounds are all similar ,there is nothing much to remember from them.T here is nothing majestic or captivating about them. Nothing worthwhile to remember.

Animation time!!

Well it is one of the many ways avid Singaporeans have been using to raise awareness about this disappearing sites.

Miss Antoinette Wong, Mr Justin Zhuang, Mr Lim Chee Peng and Mr Fong Qi Wei are some of the many Singaporeans that have been trying to create awareness about these mosaic playgrounds.

What was that?

Interview with Mr Khor

He was inspired and influenced by the culture and history of Singapore.

These playgrounds were built to remind Singaporeans of our local culture.

Playgrounds then were built with sand pits as artificial rubber mats were not available then.

Sand pits were cheaper

Mosaic tiles were used as they were easier to maintain

Do not need to be retained each year.

Interview with Toa Payoh Residents

We interviewed about fifteen residents living near the dragon playground on the playground itself. Posing questions such as;

What is the dragon playground to you?

How would you feel if the playground were to be demolished?

Do you have any fond memories of the dragon playground?

A group of children were interviewed, and a few said that they would be sad if the playground was to be demolished as he enjoyed playing at the playground.

He also stated the playground was different from other playgrounds, as it was special.

Final Conclusion…

Playgrounds in Singapore should be conserved as they play vital role in Singapore’s identity.

They are reminders of memories.

When you conserve these playgrounds, you conserve the memories that have been made there.

People who spent their childhoods playing at these playgrounds are nostalgic when they revisit them.

Credits/References

Newspaper article

Deepika Shetty,an hour@the musuem

Online sources

http://www.singaporememory.sg/data/res27/mosaic_memories.pdf ,Justin Zhuang, Wee Ho Gai, Zakaria Zainal

http://thelittledromstore.tumblr.com/post/54180786343/mr-khor , http://www.thelittledromstore.com/the-playground-series/ ,Miss Antoinette Wong and Mr Stanley Tan

http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/our-favourite-playgrounds-of-yesteryears/ , RemSG

http://myitchyfingers.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/critically-endangered-species-the-last-pelican-of-singapore/ ,

Interviews

Mr Khor Ean Ghee(13/09/13)

and the residents living in the bloks near the dragon playground(10/09/13)

Books

Historic buildings of Singapore,Edwin Lee,PMB

The Singapore Letters,Rigor Mortis,ethos books

End of Presentation~

Thank you for your kind attention and may you consider to keep these precious memories of our fellow Singaporeans.