Fostering Community Spirit Through
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Interaction

Therapeutic Gardens at Choa Chu Kang Park
Area: 1200 sqm
Completion: 2018 

The Therapeutic Garden at Choa Chu Kang Park, Singapore. Located next to the park’s allotment and community gardens, as well as a children’s playground. This forms a unique integration around the facilities, as it is the vision of the client, the National Parks Board, for the various communities around the facilities to share knowledge and assistance in gardening together. This will also inculcate a sense of stewardship towards community and nature.

Building upon the rich history of Choa Chu Kang as a village and plantation area, the therapeutic garden is themed towards showcasing various fruits, herbs and spices. A dedicated zone where people in wheelchairs can interact with herbs and spices planted on wheelchair-accessible raised planters was created. Located next to this area is a shelter which besides its use as a rest area where people can socialise, it is also a place where therapeutic horticulture activities can be conducted.

The plants are selected to provide a range of sensory experiences through complexity in a rich setting. The planting arrangement creates a gradual mental transition from a calming and restorative experience into one which stimulates the mind. For instance, by introducing plants of cool colours (white, blue, purple) to warm colours (yellow, orange, red).