Elliott getting his feet wet at a water playground has become something of a weekly ritual but this week, my little tiger was bursting with excitement because we were headed to Singapore’s newest outdoor playground at Waterway Point. New ground to conquer!

It’s located on an outdoor terrace of the second level of Waterway Point, the new-ish mall just opposite Punggol MRT station. You can get to it either via the outdoor escalators that lead up from the side facing the Punggol Waterway Park, or via the mall itself. Running alongside is a food court, which means that parents and caregivers of older kids who need minimal supervision can hang out in its air-conditioned comfort and enjoy a snack while they wait.

Two-in-One

Happy Park is set against the beautifully tranquil backdrop of the Punggol Waterway Park, so riding up to it on bicycles is an actual option for the more athletic families. It’s also a great place for everyone to cool off after getting all sweaty on the trails since half of the rooftop playground comprises a water play area.

Indeed, what truly sets this playground apart from others is that it has both a wet and a dry play zone. Not only can kids have a splash at the water play area, but they can also get their adrenaline pumping at the outdoor playground which features a wide array of fun activities.

The entire playground is obviously designed to complement the Punggol Waterway theme. It features undulating slopes and terraces, as well as a mini meandering river, not unlike the one in the surroundings of the mall. The floor is also entirely padded, so it’s not slippery and any falls would be cushioned.

Having a Splash

It was about 1.30 pm when we arrived and the sun was out in full force. So it came as no surprise that Elliott headed straight to explore the wet play area first. There are so many interactive play features that he was easily kept entertained. It didn’t even matter that he didn’t have a playmate along that day. 

The lily pads in the lake, for example, were one of his favorites. Elliott had a ball of a time trying to get water to squirt out by jumping on them. Sadly, he’s still too much of a lightweight to succeed, so I had to step in (pun intended)! Another highlight was a peculiar-looking musical fountain. Every time you step on a spout, a note will play! Elliott just might have discovered his inner musician here.

One of the nice things about this water play area is that many of the water spouts are designed to shoot water out quite gently. No rude shocks to be had for the younger ones. Still, it didn’t take long for Elliott to catch sight of the dry play zone. Before I had time to even blink, he sped off to check out the other half of Happy Park.

Road Block

When Elliott tried to explore the dry play zone, however, he stopped short and started crying. The rubbery padded floor was scorching hot due to the midday sun. I rushed over to rescue him back to the safety of the wet zone.

I asked the security guards on duty if he could put his shoes on, but they said that Happy Park was a strictly barefoot area. I guess that’s because the kids run from the dry to the wet zones and back, so it’s the only way to prevent the water from getting too murky. Thankfully, he really did enjoy himself at the wet play area.

So, unfortunately, Elliott was unable to truly enjoy the features of the dry play zone. It was a real pity because he would have absolutely loved them under different circumstances. I decided to bring him back a few days later, this time at around 4 pm when the late afternoon sun was much kinder.

Ins & Outs

This time, Elliott was able to run amok and have fun. And have fun he certainly did. Check out these wicked-looking slides. Unlike most slides that require children to climb up ladders and steps, they only have to make their way up the terraced slopes. So you can imagine how Elliott kept going up and zooming down these slides, all the while sporting a big grin on his face.

One of the hot favorites with kids of all ages is the mini ‘caves’ set into the ‘hills’. You can crawl through the ‘rabbit holes’ which lead to the caves.

Of course, a playground wouldn’t be much of a playground if it didn’t have swings and Happy Park certainly has plenty of those. The swings are designed in such a way that overzealous children wouldn’t be able to swing too high. There is a hammock that runs on the same principle, where more than one child can swing at the same time.

Ups & Downs

Another eye-catching feature of Happy Park is these strangely shaped funnels that you can spot from quite a distance away. They remind me a little of the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay. At first glance, I thought they were just there for decorative purposes.

Upon closer inspection, there’s actually a rope ladder inside them for kids to unleash their inner monkeys. There are also taller tunnel slides that lead out of them, made more for the older kids aged six to 12. The ones within the water play zone also double up as water curtains, which is a fun touch. If the rope ladders aren’t challenging enough, the spider web climbing frame should do the trick.

Our connoisseur, Elliott’s rating

Elliott had fun at Happy Park, apart from the heat factor underfoot on our first day. Still, it’s definitely a welcome addition to the local playground scene and certainly well worth a visit.

Need-to-know:

• There is a pleasant changing room just for kids with one kiddie toilet. 
• There is no shower or diaper changing area.
• It’s closed every Wednesday for maintenance.

Information

Opening hours: Daily except Wed, 10.30am – 9.30pm