On April 5, 2025, Yarrow Park welcomed two distinguished guests—Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Edwin Tong—for a meaningful walkabout and community engagement session. The visit underscored the power of collaborative urban development and the importance of inclusive community spaces.

Accompanying them were Mr Atul Temurnikar, Executive Chairman of Global Schools Group (GSG), Mr Prashant Bafna, Country Director, Singapore, GIIS, and senior leaders from the organisation. The occasion held special significance for Minister Tong and Mr Temurnikar, who were instrumental in the early discussions that laid the foundation for Yarrow Park’s development. The two leaders also came together for a joint media interaction, sharing insights into the park’s journey from concept to community anchor.

During their visit, the ministers engaged in heartfelt conversations with residents, students, and GSG leaders, taking in the park’s inclusive design and multifunctional features.

Reflecting on the occasion, Ms. Deepika Sodhi, Principal of GIIS East Coast Campus, shared, “Today’s visit to Yarrow Park by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Minister Edwin Tong was a celebration of collaboration, community, and shared vision,  for community and inclusivity. Yarrow Park is a shining example of a successful 3P collaboration—Private, Public, and People—and a true 3G Park, designed for all ages. With its diverse recreational facilities, the park provides a vibrant common space where residents of every generation can come together and thrive. As Principal of Global Indian International School, East Coast campus , I am proud to witness how spaces like these enrich our community — inspiring a spirit of togetherness, fostering connections , well-being, and sense of belonging for our students, families, and neighbours, that goes beyond school walls.”

Originally a basketball court within the GIIS East Coast campus, the 16,000 sq. ft. area was generously donated by the school and thoughtfully transformed into a multi-generational recreational space. Officially opened on July 16, 2022, Yarrow Park now features a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and access to the school’s 400-metre running track—offering residents of all ages a space to connect, play, and unwind in the heart of Joo Chiat.

This transformation is a testament to GSG’s unwavering commitment to community care and its belief in extending the spirit of education and inclusivity far beyond classroom walls. As a model 3P (Private-Public-People) partnership, Yarrow Park highlights the possibilities that emerge when institutions, government, and local communities work in harmony toward a shared purpose.

Yarrow Park today is more than just a green space—it is a living example of what can be achieved when collaboration, care, and community come together to shape spaces that serve everyone. The visit by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Tong not only honoured the collaborative efforts behind Yarrow Park but also reaffirmed the power of shared vision in creating inclusive, people-centric spaces that uplift entire communities.