Toa Payoh East marks SG50 at iconic playground
SINGAPORE — A quiet spot on most days, the iconic Red Dragon playground in Toa Payoh East saw residents of all ages descend on its grounds yesterday as the estate kicked off its SG50 celebrations. About 600 bought tickets for the event, which featured a carnival, games and performances.
(From top) Mr Ng Eng Hen, Toa Payoh East Citizens’ Consultative Committee vice-chair Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Zainudin Nordin on the Red Dragon slide. Photo: Lee Yen Nee
SINGAPORE — A quiet spot on most days, the iconic Red Dragon playground in Toa Payoh East saw residents of all ages descend on its grounds yesterday as the estate kicked off its SG50 celebrations. About 600 bought tickets for the event, which featured a carnival, games and performances.
“Residents are very attached to this red dragon (because) it has been part and parcel of Toa Payoh East for a long time … so we want a place residents can relate to to mark Singapore’s historical milestone,” said Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Zainudin Nordin.
The three-hour event at the playground along Lorong 6 Toa Payoh entertained attendees with a dance performance and magic show. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who is also MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was present to cut an SG50 birthday cake for residents who turn 50 this year.
The playground escaped demolition just a year ago, when four Housing and Development Board flats around it were demolished under the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme.
It was picked by a New York culture blog as one of the 15 most amazing playgrounds in the world in 2012.
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