The Heartland Dragon
Welcome to one of the oldest playgrounds in Singapore! The Toa Payoh Dragon Playground was constructed in the late 1970s, as part of a series of themed playgrounds built in public housing estates. Featuring a head decorated with terrazzo tiles, a body made of multi-coloured steel rings, and a slide nestled within its head, all resting on a sand bed, such playgrounds once dotted the public housing landscape.
Due to safety concerns, such playgrounds have been slowly phased out over the years and replaced by modular plastic playgrounds with rubber mulch. Only two other variations of the dragon playground remain - one at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 and the other at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3. The playground that stands before you is also the only sand-based playground left in Singapore (the other two playgrounds have been replaced with rubber mats).
The Toa Payoh Dragon Playground continues to play an integral role in Singapore’s community spirit and culture today. Amidst plans for redevelopment in 2014, the playground’s surrounding buildings were demolished but the playground was kept preserved. The playground has become an iconic symbol of Singapore’s heritage, and reminds us that even in a rapidly changing world, some things remain timeless.
Source: roots.gov.sg, remembersingapore.org
To log this virtual cache:
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Upload with your log, a photo clearly showing yourself, your geocaching username or GPS together with the Heartland Dragon. Pictures of the area from a distance (e.g. from a car, a passing bus, or a distant walkway) are not acceptable.
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There is a set of stairs (painted blue, red and white) where the left and right dragon head meets. Count the number of steps on the stairs and send your answers to me. There is no need to wait for a reply before logging the find, but logs with incomplete requirements will be deleted.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.