NParks to release 360 new allotment gardening plots, applications open on Sep 24
SINGAPORE: Gardening enthusiasts can soon apply for one of 360 new allotment gardening plots that will be released by the National Parks Board (NParks) to cater to growing demand.
Applications open on Friday (Sep 24).
The new plots are located in eight parks: Bedok Town Park, Choa Chu Kang Park, Pasir Ris Park, Sengkang Riverside Park, Yishun Park, Jurong Central Park, Kallang Riverside Park and Tiong Bahru Park.
"Members of the public are encouraged to apply for the gardening plots nearest to their residence," said NParks in a media release on Wednesday.
This brings the total number of allotment garden plots in Singapore to more than 2,000 across 23 parks and gardens, it added.
The allotment gardens scheme was launched in 2016 to offer more gardening spaces closer to public housing estates. It is also part of Singapore's vision to be a "City in Nature", a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, said NParks.
For the latest batch to be released, each plot comprises a raised planter bed measuring 2.5m by 1m that will be leased for up to three years at S$57 annually, excluding GST.
Each household may ballot for only one gardening plot at a time, with applicants to be at least 18 years old, according to the NParks website.
Applications are to be submitted online and will remain open for two weeks from 10am on Sep 24 to 10am on Oct 6. Plots will be allocated through computerised balloting, said NParks.
"In our vision to transform Singapore into a City of Nature, the community plays a key role in the ownership and stewardship for nature," said the agency.
"We want to encourage more to garden as a means for community participation and bonding and to bring people closer to nature for health and well-being."