Five things to look forward to at Botanic Garden’s Gallop Extension
If you’re looking for a captivating place to visit this weekend, then you are in for a treat!
The eight-hectare Gallop Extension was opened on 13 Mar, and is the newest addition to the Singapore Botanical Gardens.
Located just a 20 minute walk from the Botanic Gardens MRT station, the extension comprises attractions like Art galleries and nature-themed playgrounds.
Here are five features you can look forward to at Gallop Extension.
1. The Botanical Art Gallery
The Botanical Art Gallery is housed in the conserved and refurbished Gallop House No.7 (Inverturret) building built in 1906. It is Singapore’s first permanent display of botanical art with more than 2,000 botanical paintings, sketches, photographs and more.
The gallery showcases the scientific documentation of plants in Singapore and how art can inspire a renewed appreciation of the natural world around us.
The Art Gallery is open from 9am – 6pm and it is closed every last Thursday of the month. Admission is free.
2. Forest Discovery Centre @ OCBC Arboretum
The Forest Discovery Centre @ OCBC Arboretum is housed in Gallop House No.5 (Atbara), Singapore’s oldest surviving colonial era or black-and-white bungalow built in 1898.
The displays are interactive and one can relish a bird’s eye view of the diverse forest and learn about the Garden’s history in forest conservation. The family-friendly displays include videos featuring three distinctive forest habitats and their unique flora and fauna found in Singapore.
The Forest Discovery Centre is open from 9am – 6pm and it is closed every last Monday of the month. Admission is free.
3. COMO Adventure Grove
The COMO Adventure Grove is the newest nature playground, inspired by distinctive parts of trees found within the Botanic Gardens.
Have some fun in nature climbing on structures resembling the aerial roots of the weeping fig or roll and hop around the pods and seeds of a Saga tree.
The COMO Adventure Grove is open from 7am – 7pm daily. Admission is free.
4. Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge
The Gallop Extension also includes the Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge, a barrier-free path lined with critically endangered trees like the spike oak and braided chestnut.
The Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge draws its inspiration from unique forest habitats of Southeast Asia.
5. Upcoming HPL Canopy Link
You can look forward to the completion of the HPL Canopy link, which will be opening in 2022.
The 200m barrier-free bridge will allow visitors a scenic view of the Botanical Gardens while connecting them to other areas of the garden.
The entrance to the Gallop Extension is free for all visitors. If you love the arts, nature or are simply looking for something to do with family or friends, then it is a place you must visit!
