A $7-MILLION leafy wonderland opened its doors to children yesterday.

The Jacob Ballas Children's Garden - the first such purpose-built botanical attraction in Asia - sits at the Bukit Timah Core of the Botanic Gardens, at the junction of Dunearn and Kheam Hock roads.

Children will be able to romp around a tree house, venture across a timber bridge or play hide and seek around the giant trunk of a 100-year-old tree.

But more than just a large green playroom, the green space is meant to give the youngsters an insight into the natural world.

For instance, in one corner, they can learn about photosynthesis - or the way plants make food with sunlight.

Then, there is the Mushroom Shelter where they get up close to the biological composting and nutrient recycling process.

Mr Ng Lang, chief executive of NParks, said: "It's for them to learn, and through their play and interaction with plants, to inculcate in them some curiosity about the natural environment that we live in."

And so exclusive is it that, to get in, adults will have to be accompanied by a person below 13, or a guide.

Also speaking at its Children's Day opening yesterday, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said with a smile: "Instead of thinking they want to be a lawyer, doctor or engineer, they might say maybe I want to be an environmentalist or environmental engineer.

"Young people must realise that this (land) is theirs... If you start the exposure as early as possible, you create options."

Dr Yaacob also said that the Government was committed to environmental issues in Singapore.

For instance, it was already trying to encourage efficient energy usage such as by using more environmentally friendly airconditioners and lightbulbs in buildings here.

Such efforts are the easiest way to start changing energy-depleting habits here, he said.

Companies could explore green ventures, he said, and the Government would "move with them".

 

Having a whale of a time on a day just for kids

CHILDREN across the island were treated to drawing and story-telling sessions, games, movies and more as Singapore celebrated Children's Day yesterday.

As part of Happy Drawing Day at Suntec City, about 200 children got to express, through art, their personal views of what an ideal Children's Day would be like.

They also watched local artist Peter Zhuo, 23, attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by sketching what may well be the world's largest caricature.

By the end of the feat, the well-known face of action star Jackie Chan lay sprawled across much of the ground-floor lobby of the Suntec Convention Centre.

Measuring nearly 30m by 12m - roughly the size of a tennis court - the sketch was Mr Zhuo's 'gift of inspiration' to kids here on Children's Day. The artist is better known by his pseudonym, Peter 'Draw'.

The event was attended by Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

 

Over at Plaza Singapura, nearly 60 children were treated to games and a tour of the eco-friendly features at the mall, run by real estate developer CapitaLand.

The 'eco-tour' included a view of water-saving taps in the restrooms and energy-saving lights in the stairwells. The lights turn on only when attached sensors detect any movement.

The outing was topped off by a screening of the popular children's film, Happy Feet.