The Clean & Green Week in Jurong Spring held on December 8, 2019 took on a new format in the form of a garden fiesta, as 30 kids aged five to 12 years old put their adventurous spirit to the test as they attempted an adrenalin-pumping tree climbing experience using harness ladders at the open space in front of Block 521 Jurong West Street 52.
To encourage residents to develop a more conscious view of the environment and embrace eco-living, the event also featured a garden bazaar where vegetables and plants grown from the nearby community garden were made available for sale. Residents also had an enjoyable time touring the community allotment gardens, which provided a platform for people to bond with the wider like-minded community while drawing us closer to nature in our cityscape.
In addition to growing edible crops, community gardens also help to attract wildlife to our urban greenery. Thanks to these pockets of green spaces, native birds and butterflies are increasingly becoming a common sight in our neighbourhoods and communities.
Marking the launch of Evergreen Garden – the first community allotment garden in Jurong Spring – Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for National Development, and Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations, also attempted some gardening activities by watering the plants and tilling the soil at the allotment garden. “Each of the 54 plots is cared for by a family who has successfully applied for the allotment garden. If this works out well, we hope to scale it across the estate and beyond. But meanwhile, our sights are set on encouraging our community to do composting – turning suitable food waste into nutrients for plants,” he said in a Facebook post.