If you are looking for a green escape in the city, HortPark is the place to be. HortPark is a 23-hectare park that showcases the beauty and diversity of gardening and nature. It is part of the Southern Ridges, a 10-kilometre stretch of greenery that connects several parks and hills in Singapore.
HortPark is not just a park, but a gardening lifestyle hub that offers a range of activities and services for gardening enthusiasts and professionals. You can learn new gardening skills, shop for gardening products, or consult with gardening experts at the gardening hub. You can also enjoy the themed gardens, the nature playgarden, and the park connector that offer different experiences and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.
Whether you are a gardener, a nature lover, or a family with kids, HortPark has something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights and tips that will make your visit to HortPark a memorable one.
Themed Gardens
One of the main attractions of HortPark is the themed gardens. There are 10 themed gardens that showcase different aspects of gardening and nature. Each garden has its own design, plants, and features that reflect its theme. You can explore the themed gardens at your own pace, or join a guided tour that is available on selected days.
Here are some of the themed gardens that you should not miss:
HortPark Silver Garden:
This garden features plants with silver or grey foliage that create a stunning contrast with the green surroundings. The silver plants also reflect light and heat, making the garden cooler and brighter. Some of the plants that you can find here are lavender, rosemary, and silver bush.
HortPark Therapeutic Garden:
This garden is designed to provide a healing and relaxing environment for visitors. It has plants that have therapeutic benefits, such as mint, basil, and lemongrass. It also has sensory elements, such as water features, wind chimes, and aromatherapy, that stimulate the senses and calm the mind.
HortPark Butterfly Garden:
This garden is a haven for butterflies and other pollinators. It has plants that attract and support the life cycle of butterflies, such as milkweed, lantana, and pentas. You can observe the different stages of butterfly development, from eggs to caterpillars to pupae to adults, and learn more about their ecology and conservation.
HortPark Edible Garden:
This garden showcases the edible and medicinal plants that can be grown in urban settings. It has plants that can be used for food, drinks, or remedies, such as chilli, ginger, and turmeric. You can also learn how to grow your own edible garden at home, or join a workshop that teaches you how to cook or brew with the plants.
Gardening Hub
If you are interested in gardening, HortPark is the place to learn, shop, and consult. HortPark is a one-stop gardening resource centre that offers a range of activities and services for gardening enthusiasts and professionals. You can find everything you need to start or improve your gardening journey at the gardening hub.
Here are some of the activities and services that you can enjoy at the gardening hub:
Gardening Workshops:
You can learn new gardening skills or enhance your existing ones at the gardening workshops. The workshops cover various topics, such as basic gardening, hydroponics, terrariums, and floral arrangements. The workshops are suitable for beginners and experts alike, and are conducted by experienced instructors and facilitators.
Gardening Talks:
You can gain more knowledge and insights on gardening and related topics at the gardening talks. The talks feature local and international speakers who share their expertise and experience on gardening. The talks cover various topics, such as gardening trends, gardening tips, and gardening stories.
Gardening Retail:
You can shop for gardening products and supplies at the gardening retail. The retail offers a wide selection of gardening items, such as seeds, plants, pots, tools, fertilizers, and accessories. You can also find unique and creative gardening products, such as vertical gardens, hanging gardens, and miniature gardens.
Gardening Consultancy:
You can get professional advice and guidance on gardening issues and challenges at the gardening consultancy. The consultancy offers a free service that connects you with gardening experts who can help you with your gardening queries and problems. You can also get customized solutions and recommendations for your gardening needs and goals.
Nature Playgarden
If you are looking for a fun and educational playground for children and families, HortPark is the place to play. HortPark has a nature playgarden that provides a natural and interactive environment for children and families. The nature playgarden is designed to encourage children to explore, discover, and learn through play.
The nature playgarden has the following features and attractions:
Natural Elements:
The nature playgarden uses natural elements, such as wood, sand, water, and plants, to create a playful and stimulating environment for children. The natural elements also help children to develop their physical, cognitive, and social skills, as well as their creativity and imagination.
Interactive Activities:
The nature playgarden offers interactive activities that engage children and families in fun and meaningful ways. The interactive activities include building, digging, climbing, balancing, swinging, and sliding. The interactive activities also help children to learn about nature and science, such as the life cycle of plants, the properties of water, and the effects of gravity.
Sensory Experiences:
The nature playgarden provides sensory experiences that enrich children and families’ enjoyment and appreciation of nature. The sensory experiences include seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. The sensory experiences also help children to develop their sensory awareness and integration, as well as their emotional and mental well-being.
Park Connector
If you are looking for a scenic and adventurous hike in the city, HortPark is the place to start. HortPark is part of the Southern Ridges, a 10-kilometre stretch of greenery that connects several parks and hills in Singapore. You can access the park connector from HortPark, and explore the other parks along the Southern Ridges, such as Kent Ridge Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park.
The park connector has the following features and attractions:
Scenic Views:
The park connector offers scenic views of the city skyline, the harbour, and the sea. You can enjoy the panoramic views from various vantage points, such as the Alexandra Arch, the Forest Walk, and the Henderson Waves. You can also catch the sunrise or sunset from the park connector, and witness the changing colours of the sky and the landscape.
Hiking Trails:
The park connector offers hiking trails that suit different levels of fitness and experience. You can choose from easy, moderate, or challenging trails, depending on your preference and ability. You can also choose from different lengths and durations, ranging from 1.5 kilometres to 10 kilometres, and from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Canopy Walks:
The park connector offers canopy walks that allow you to walk among the treetops and experience the forest from a different perspective. You can walk on elevated bridges and platforms that span across the forest canopy, and observe the flora and fauna that live in the forest.
Additional resources and information
Park Map: You can download the park map from the National Parks Board website, or get a printed copy from the visitor centre at HortPark.
Directions: You can get to HortPark by public transport or by car. By public transport, you can take the MRT to Labrador Park station or Pasir Panjang station, and then walk for about 15 minutes to HortPark. By car, you can park at the car park at HortPark, or at the nearby car parks at Alexandra Retail Centre or Gillman Barracks.
Opening Hours: HortPark is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. The gardening hub is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. The nature playgarden is open from 8 am to 8 pm daily. The park connector and the Southern Ridges are open 24 hours daily.
Contact Details: You can contact HortPark by phone at +65 6471 5601, or by email at nparks_hortpark@nparks.gov.sg. You can also visit the National Parks Board website or the HortPark Facebook page for more information and updates.
HortPark is a gardening paradise in Singapore that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. You can explore the themed gardens, the gardening hub, the nature playgarden, and the park connector, and enjoy the beauty and diversity of gardening and nature. We hope that you have learned something new and interesting about HortPark, and that you are inspired to visit this gardening paradise in Singapore.
