New merged park in Orchard Road to combine Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road Open Space

SINGAPORE – Dhoby Ghaut is set to get a new park, which will incorporate the existing Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road Open Space, as well as a 500m-long section of Orchard Road that will be pedestrianised.

Development timelines for the amalgamated park – which be more than thrice the size of existing 1.3ha Istana Park and was first announced in 2019 as part of the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan – will be announced at a later date.

Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan, who attended the event, said the rejuvenated area will have three sections – an Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza, Istana Park, as well as Dhoby Ghaut Green.

National Parks Board senior manager Alicia Soh taking Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan through the exhibition panels showing updates to the rejuvenation plans for Istana Park and Dhoby Ghaut area at an event in Temasek Shophouse on Aug 12.

ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

In a media release, the National Parks Board (NParks) said that the Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza are envisioned as spaces planted with a diverse range of orchid species and hybrids.

An artist’s impression of the Orchid Park.

PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

These will collectively showcase “orchids’ remarkable adaptability across different growing environments”, said the board.

As for the redeveloped Istana Park, the plan is to build a new ceremonial driveway that will be flanked by flagpoles and mature trees leading directly to the Istana’s main gate.

An artist’s impression of the potential Ceremonial Driveway.

PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

NParks said that there could also be new indoor attractions at the Istana Park, such as galleries to showcase Singapore’s multicultural heritage and also “enhance the horticultural experience for visitors”.

Finally, Dhoby Ghaut Green will house a garden that honours “the pioneering spirit and contributions of Singapore women”, said NParks, which added that the park was first proposed in the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development in 2022.

An artist’s impression of a garden dedicated to honouring Singapore women.

PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

“We hope it will inspire women across all segments of life to participate actively in the community,” said Tan of the garden in a speech at the engagement event.

NParks added that the garden aims to introduce more flexible public spaces to support commemorative events and activities for women’s groups, as well as educational content for visitors.

On Aug 12, building owners and tenants within the precinct, as well as organisations involved in the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan, were asked for feedback on plans for the redeveloped park at an event at Temasek Shophouse.

The Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan was in 2019 revealed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and NParks.

Part of the project’s aim was to transform Orchard Road into a green oasis at the heart of the city and “bring back the orchard” to the area, which was formerly occupied by plantations during the colonial era.

An artist’s impression of the potential link bridge to Fort Canning Park.

PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

Earlier in 2026, STB’s assistant chief executive for experience development Jean Ng had said that when the project was plan was launched in 2019, it was envisaged as a 15-year one that would culminate in the redevelopment of Istana Park around the mid-2030s.

On Aug 12, NParks group director for Fort Canning and Istana Ng Boon Gee said that development timelines can only be confirmed after plans are refined and more consultations with stakeholders are carried out.

The public will be able to view plans for the rejuvenated park at an exhibition held at Temasek Shophouse, which will run until Aug 26.