Sandpits, rock walls, flying foxes, climbing frames, tunnels and SLIDES! Oh so many slides! Admiralty Park is the playground that kids' dreams are made of. Here's our guide to getting there, parking and where to find food!
Once upon a time, we were out searching for the perfect pair of stilettos – not too high, not too low, with the perfect point. A couple of kids and a few grey hairs later, we’re seeking the best playground in Singapore instead. Oh, how times have changed. Well, if you haven’t brought the kids to this playground, this is the one that you need to know about. Yep, Admiralty Park, we’re looking at you!
How to get to Admiralty Park
To be fair, Admiralty Park is a bit of a trek if you don’t live in the north of Singapore. Located in Woodlands (cue the “You might as well go to Johor!” jokes), it’s well worth the trip! Like many parks in Singapore, Admiralty Park is beautifully planned and really embraces nature. With over seven hectares of the park to explore, it’s perfect for kids of all ages. And, it’s the perfect opportunity for a half-day adventure. Admiralty Park links up with the Admiralty West Park Connector, so if you’re an active bunch, you can continue your expedition all the way to Woodlands Waterfront Park for a brilliant view across the causeway (it’s a fab cycling route!).
If you’re driving to Admiralty Park, it’s pretty straightforward. Alternatively, the nearest MRT station is Woodlands MRT with bus 903 giving you access to the bus stop right at the famous Admiralty Park Playground.
The 26 slides at Admiralty Park
The pièce de résistance has got to be those magnificent slides! 26 in total, Admiralty Park boasts the most number of slides of any playground in Singapore. Nestled into steep slopes, there are slides of all kinds – little ones, speedy ones, wide ones, long windy ones and even roller slides. Hot tip: pack a cardboard box to use as a mat, otherwise bottoms can get scorched… ouch! It even has bumpy ones and dark ones for a thrilling adventure.
Officially, there are three play areas: ‘Adventure Play’, ‘Family Terracing Play’ and ‘Junior Play’. But we’d say there are two main play areas – the steeper slope for kids aged five years and above (incorporating the roller slides) and then tucked around the corner is another play area aimed at younger kids. There’s even a variety of swings, including a wheelchair-accessible swing and what they call an ‘expression swing’ (a tandem swing for an adult and child).
Top tips for conquering Admiralty Park
1. Early bird gets the worm…and a good parking spot
Admiralty Park ain’t no secret and it can get busy, particularly on weekends. Why not get an early jump on it, grab a takeaway coffee and head out to Woodlands around 9am? The closest car park is Admiralty Park Car Park and can get full quickly, so another parking option is within Republic Polytechnic (on Republic Crescent, off Woodlands Avenue 9).
2. Come prepared to brave the heat
Yes, it is hot at Admiralty Park. Sometimes even stinkingly so. Please go prepared. We’re talking an enormous flask of water, hats, towels (for mopping up sweat) and loads of sunscreen. There is some shade from trees and shade cloths, but the big footprint of the playground means that direct sun exposure is inescapable.
3. Pack snacks
If we were squillionaires, we’d definitely open up a cafe in Admiralty Park. At the moment it’s very slim pickings as restaurants like Sakura Buffet and Shiok Garden have now closed, so the best you could do is get a drink at the nearby vending machine! Our advice is to pack heavy on the snacks. With all that sliding, the kids are bound to work up a big appetite. If you’re looking for food near Admiralty Park, head across the street to Al-Ameen Eating Corner for fresh prata and thirst-quenching drinks, or go over to Woodlands MRT, where Causeway Point and Woods Square are teeming with F&B options.
4. Always watch the kids
Unless you’ve got older kids, there is some parental supervision required at Admiralty Park. There are plenty of steep slopes, drop-offs, fast slides and an infinite number of places to hide (don’t you just love it when kids play an impromptu game of hide and seek?). Fear not though, we’ve got it licked. Our suggestion is to divide and conquer. One adult can be on duty, up the hill to supervise, and the other adult can stay on the path, keeping watch over the entire scene and guarding against runaways. Make it a rule with the kids that they must stay in one of the two play areas.
The Admiralty Park verdict: A big YAY!
So, our verdict is that a visit to Admiralty Park is a must. The kids will have a top time exploring each of the play areas and it’ll be physically challenging for them too. In a good way. Is it the best playground in Singapore? We’ll leave it to you to decide. And please don’t forget to bring the essentials: hats, sunscreen, towels, snacks, cardboard box, water, bikes or scooters and helmets.
Have an awesome time, folks!
Top image: NParks