Many tributes have been, and will be made about Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s transformative role in making Singapore what it is today. Central to his vision for Singapore was to make our city a green oasis for citizens and visitors. He wanted Singapore to be more than prosperous, peaceful and safe. He wanted Singapore to be beautiful, and to be the best home possible for all Singaporeans.
Mr Lee planted a Mempat Tree at Farrer Circus in June 1963, kickstarting a national effort for tree planting. He sowed the seed that a green Singapore with well-designed and maintained parks and open spaces should be the birthright of all Singaporeans.
Since the 1960s, the Parks and Recreation Department and then the National Parks Board have been the custodians of this vision.
In 1970, the Garden City Action Committee was set up by Mr Lee as he felt it was important for various government agencies to work closely together and make greenery an integral part of the country’s infrastructure.
Mr Lee’s legacy is all around Singapore, in every tree, leaf and flower alongside our roads and in our gardens, parks and nature reserves. Our City in a Garden is both a monument and memorial to his vision.
In memory of our founding patron, Mr Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015), your donations will help us continue his legacy of building a City in a Garden. Donations raised will support efforts
for urban ecology and innovations projects under the charity.
Read more about our special tribute to
Mr Lee here.
"I have always believed that a blighted urban landscape, a concrete
jungle destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift our
spirits."
- Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 1995
