Therapeutic garden for a variety of visitors Opens at Punggol Park

Highlights include an outdoor boccia court; number of such gardens in Singapore hits 16

- Chin Hui Shan

A new therapeutic garden that features the Republic's first outdoor boccia court opened at Punggol Park on Dec 12.

Designed to cater to a variety of visitors, including seniors and wheelchair users, the 2,000 sq m garden features the first outdoor wheelchair obstacle course within a park under the National Parks Board (NParks).

The garden also houses the first inclusive agility course located in a therapeutic garden that can be used for physiotherapy and recreation.

Therapeutic gardens help people, including those with dementia or special needs, interact with nature to improve their well-being.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah, who was at the opening of the garden on Dec 12, said therapeutic gardens are curated to foster meaningful interactions with nature, incorporating features that can enhance physical and mental well-being.

"Studies have shown that exposure to nature and gardening can reduce stress and improve mental health," she said in a statement.