Bidadari Park

Supporting over 193 wildlife species, Bidadari Park sets an example for conservation – despite its urban location. As one of only two existing woodland habitats for migratory birds on the dense island of Singapore, the use of ecological support to enhance and protect existing biodiversity is central to our design – today the park hosts more than 50% of Singapore’s migratory dryland bird species. Our planting strategy retained 84% of mature trees and added over 170 native plants. The design creates ‘passive zones’ as core areas of natural vegetation, and ‘active zones’ for park users to support community activities – sensitively balancing the human-nature coexistence to protect flora and fauna. Wildlife friendly bollard lights illuminate the path at night, reducing both light spill and wildlife disturbance. Ecological features such as snags, log piles, and boulder piles provide various bird species places to rest, nest, and forage, while a 20-meter-tall Raptor nest platform provides an additional perch and alternative nesting site for the eponymous apex predator. ​

A landmark of the site, the Samanea saman tree stands proudly on a carved-out island within the Alkaff Lake. Known as the Rain Tree Island, the land features a variety of wildflowers, ferns, and grasses, including Shepherd’s Needles and Mission Grass, which attract butterflies, bees, and birds with their nectar and seeds. Ripraps have been installed around the island to create slopes and nooks that support a variety of aquatic plants and small fish.

At the northwestern border of the park, bird species such as the Collared Kingfisher, Yellow-vented Bulbul, and Pink-necked Green have been observed along the 100-metre-long land bridge. Connecting two patches of mature woodlands within the estate, the bridge supports the movement of birds, butterflies, and visitors alike.

Our design envisioned the landscape as a piece of mosaic art with unique spatial identities forming one holistic nature experience for the community. Through curated planting themes, stronger and more recognizable identities were created from the existing landscape. 

Leveraging its topographically diverse site, the park features a variety of habitats, including rolling hills paying tribute to the old Alkaff Gardens, woodlands and grasslands serving as transitional zones for wildlife to easily move across, and a Ficus grove. The park was thoughtfully planned with distinct active and passive zones, featuring over 6 km of barrier-free experiential trails and activity nodes that allow the community to share the space harmoniously with wildlife. This layout achieves a balanced co-ownership of the park, where both people and nature thrive together.​

Strategically placed observation decks and pavilions are designed to offer visitors space to rest and observe the surrounding wildlife – a feature reminiscent of the site’s pre-development bird watching experience. Children can experience nature in the city through engaging, nature-inspired play areas, including a 5-meter tree house playground near a Tembusu grove, complete with slides, climbing nets, a net bridge, and a nest shelter.​