‘Something better and not less’: Woman says upgrade on playground at Pasir Ris Street feels more like a downgrade

SINGAPORE: A woman took to social media to air her dissatisfaction after the improvements to a neighbourhood playground felt more like a downgrade.

On the popular COMPLAINT Singapore Facebook group page on Thursday (April 18), a woman wrote that she wanted to share some of the frustration she felt regarding the “so-called ‘upgrade’” at the playground at Pasir Ris Street 11.

“Honestly, it feels more like a downgrade,” she wrote, explaining that not only is the new structure smaller and shorter, but it also has fewer play features than it did before the renovation took place.

She went on to say that her niece, who is five years old and whom she described as “a true playground expert who lives in Bidadari, which has amazing playgrounds,” took one look at the upgrade and told her that the playground was “not fun anymore”.

The post author explained that the outcome was disappointing for them since they had been expecting “something better, (and) not less”.

She also wrote that the renovation of the playground “really felt like a cost-cutting exercise dressed up as an upgrade,” and added, “Our kids deserve thoughtfully designed, engaging spaces to play—not watered-down versions that tick a box. I know I sound like a Karen, but it is what it is.”

The post author asked the members of the group if anyone else had had the same experience where they live.

While the commenters on the post were generally sympathetic to the woman, one tried to explain the situation this way:

“One of the reasons to be taken into account might be because of residents’ complaints. Some of the residents stay near the playground, and the bigger and better it is, there will be more kids and noise, thus the reason for the downsizing of the playground. This is how I feel. I do not know the whole story and certainly hope that what I feel is not true.”

In answer to the woman’s question regarding whether they’ve had a similar experience, some said yes.

“Same here! Pasir Ris blk 485 playground is no longer fun too!” wrote one netizen, while another chimed in to say, “Same for Woodlands side.”

A commenter echoed this, writing, “Woodlands here. Play area downgraded too.”

Another wrote, “As a Pasir Ris resident for many years, the standard really has dropped. We used to have some of the best MPs (Members of Parliament) who cared for us and can be seen from time to time. Now we have MPs who don’t bother trying because they know their power is untouched.”

The five-member Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC is one of the constituencies that have been wiped off the electoral map. It has been carved into two new four-member GRCs. Punggol West SMC has been merged with estates in Punggol, forming Punggol GRC, while Loyang and Flora estates from East Coast GRC have been combined with the remaining estates in Pasir Ris, forming Pasir Ris–Changi GRC.

The Independent Singapore has reached out to the post author, as well as to the Town Council of Pasir-Ris Punggol, for further comments or updates. /TISG

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