Everything About the New Bay East Garden That’s Set to Open in 2027

Come 2027, the 30.38-hectare Bay East Garden will be open to the public.

The new garden, which is situated across the Bay South Garden—home to the super trees and domed conservatories—and separated by the Marina Reservoir, will contain the Founder’s Memorial, which will be surrounded by green spaces and pockets of water bodies.

Multiple pathways will lead through the garden towards the Founder’s Memorial, meant to symbolise the multiculturalism of Singapore, taking the visitors on a walk down memory’s lane, of Singapore’s roots, growth, and blossoming into its current bustling and metropolitan city.

The garden is structured in such a way that it will be divided into two zones, themed the past and future.

To make the Bay East Garden more accessible to the public, a Founders’ Memorial MRT Station will be opened on the Thompson-East Coast Line as well.

It will definitely be another scenic location in the Marina Bay area, since the garden sits on the reclaimed land by the Marina Reservoir and overlooks the city skyline.

It also reflects how Singapore overcame its land and water constraints to become one of the most liveable and green cities in the world.

The Founders’ Memorial

Just like how the super trees and the domed conservatories are the most remarkable features of the Bay South Gardens, not just for being architectural marvels and emitting stunning light displays, but also being the beacon of environmental technologies and sustainability, the core of the Bay East Garden is the Founders’ Memorial.

The memorial is dedicated to commemorating Singapore’s first-generation leaders, their values, and the early nation-building years.

It consists of spaces that celebrate the country’s milestones, which will be featured in the exhibition galleries and viewing gallery that faces the city skyline.

According to the master plan, there might be a Red and White Garden in the memorial’s forecourt, though the specifics of that feature are unclear.

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The Past and Future Zones

Native and naturalised plant species will be embedded in the past zone as a nod to Singapore’s Garden City era.

Heritage Tree species such as the tembusu, saga, and raintree were commonly planted in the early years of Singapore’s greening journey amidst the rapid urbanisation.

Of course, the mempet can’t be forgotten, since it was the tree that founding prime Lee Kuan Yew planted at the launch of the island-wide tree-planting campaign in 1963.

Gardens by the Bay stated that it’s collaborating with the National Parks Board to proliferate the saplings of the tree species planted by Singapore’s founding leaders.

Since these trees will line the main trail, it will probably hit the older generation with a sense of nostalgia, sending them back to the annual Tree Planting Day, which began in November 1971.

There might even be a Boulevard of Treasured Trees in the past zone.

On the other hand, the future zone will exhibit Singapore’s City in Nature vision, where natural greenery is integrated with the urban landscape, wherein more consideration will be given to biodiversity when developing sites and other establishments.

For instance, the future zone will have an urban wetland that can serve as a living classroom.

At this place, visitors can learn how plants filter the water, provide habitats for biodiversity and help maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Water bodies that are connected to the adjacent Marina Reservoir will be channelled and can be found throughout the garden.

In order to promote a healthy ecosystem, aquatic plants with natural water-cleansing properties will be grown in the water, allowing them to act as an intrinsic filtration system for the reservoir’s water while also providing a liveable and breathable habitat for fishes, dragonflies and birds.

Maybe some exotic birds will migrate back?

To give a simple crash course on aquatic plants and their importance, they purify the water by filtering sediments and absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which in turn maintains the water quality without any chemicals.

Since the water flows through the garden, which acts like a network of pipes, it will be naturally cleansed and released back to the reservoir.

A bonus to this green oasis is that it will serve as a perfect spot for family gatherings and picnics.

The wide flatland of grass at the forefront of the Bay East Garden will also provide a good view for the fireworks during National Day, or simply a nice jog in refreshing air.

There will also be play areas installed, suitable for both the young, disabled, and old.

One Step Closer to Net Zero Energy Development

The Gardens by the Bay have always been working towards becoming sustainable green spaces on reclaimed land.

Therefore, Bay East Garden will be planned as a net-zero energy development, which signifies that it will consume only as much energy as it produces.

One of the ways to achieve this is by tapping into solar energy, lowering the energy usage with energy-efficient systems and natural ventilation.

Rainwater-harvesting technologies will also be installed, and smart waste management strategies will be implemented.

Ultimately, Bay East Garden’s grand goal is to offer a green oasis for visitors to seek respite from the busy city.

In a statement made by Gardens by the Bay, they said that Bay East Garden will overlook the Marina Bay downtown which grants a spectacular view of Singapore’s skyline which has developed over the years. It will encourage reflection on Singapore’s journey thus far and “inspire hope for the future.”

It adds, “As a garden that will tell Singapore’s Garden City and water story, and where the Founders’ Memorial will take centre stage, Bay East presents Singapore to the world.”

Their statement is rather romantic and poetic.

Bay Central in Development

As previously mentioned, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) plans for three gardens in the Marina Bay area.

Although the main concept of the Bay East Garden has been confirmed, the names of the specific features are still subject to change.

The last garden that will be developed after Bay East is Bay Central, which will serve as a community-centric garden that will link Bay South and Bay East after it’s fully developed.

While Garden by the Bay declares that there are no immediate plans to develop the Bay Area, since it is taking one ambitious project at a time, the URA’s grand masterplan shows that a bridge-like structure will be built over the Marina Reservoir to link Bay East and Bay Central.

When inquired, an URA spokesman said that the relevant agencies are studying connectivity plans between the two areas and will announce more details when they are ready. 

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Featured Image: Gardens by the Bay