Repurposing community facilities in Zhenghua to solve municipal issues

📌 About the project

• Zhenghua Ward, Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC (2020).

• Led by the Zhenghua-Segar Residents’ Committee (RC), in partnership with the People’s Association (PA), Housing and Development Board (HDB), and Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (HBPTC), with support from the HDB’s Lively Places Fund.

• Grassroots leaders worked closely with HDB and PA to repurpose under-utilised areas in the vicinity into a Pets’ Park and a multi-purpose court, better serving residents’ needs.

🏘️ The issues

• In 2020, recurrent feedback from Zhenghua residents highlighted hygiene and noise disturbances caused by dogs in the neighbourhood.

• Irresponsible dog owners left pet droppings on grass patches and walkways.

• There were also safety and noise concerns arising from children playing at void decks near a childcare centre.

💡 What we did

• Organised a poster design competition to engage residents and promote responsible pet ownership, such as cleaning up after pets. Selected resident-designed posters were displayed in the Pets’ Park with the Town Council’s support.

• Incorporated residents’ feedback to repurpose an under-utilised badminton court into a multi-purpose court and converted an empty plot behind a multi-storey carpark into a dedicated Pets’ Park with obstacles and play areas.

• The Pets’ Park provided a designated exercise area for pets and confined pet waste to a specific space, where pet owners are more accountable. This helped reduce pet droppings in common walkways.

The project team set up a pop-up booth to gather feedback and consult residents on their preferred location for the proposed Pets’ Park. More than 50 residents participated.

The project team set up a pop-up booth to gather feedback and consult residents on their preferred location for the proposed Pets’ Park. More than 50 residents participated.

The Pets’ Park @ Segar Gardens was officially opened by Grassroots Adviser Mr. Edward Chia Bing Hui on 12 December 2020.

The Pets’ Park @ Segar Gardens was officially opened by Grassroots Adviser Mr. Edward Chia Bing Hui on 12 December 2020.

🔍 What we learnt

• Collaboration between agencies and community volunteers was key to overcoming challenges. For example, the project team worked closely with the Town Council on the construction and maintenance of the Pets’ Park.

• Establishing a Pets’ Interest Group on WhatsApp and organising regular events for residents and pet owners helped to sustain engagement, strengthen community bonds, and foster a more cohesive and responsible neighbourhood.

• Dedicated pet facilities effectively redirected pet activities away from common areas that are less suitable.

⚙️ Key considerations

• Ground observations and resident feedback were essential to identify suitable repurposing sites and improve facility acceptance and usage.

• The design process required incorporating diverse preferences and residents’ concerns related to noise, smell, and safety.

📈 Impact

• Created a gathering space for pet lovers while addressing hygiene concerns and resolving the issue of pet droppings, such as those at void decks.

• Reduced noise disturbances by redirecting youth from void decks to a proper court for ball games such as futsal.

• Transformed under-utilised spaces into active community spaces serving diverse residents’ needs and enhancing the living environment.