Since 2003, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has been opening up State land to the public for casual community and recreational use. This initiative was mooted by Senior Minister of State for Law & Home Affairs and President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee. Today, 284 State fields are open to public use so that they can instead of being just green lungs, the public can actually enjoy using them.

These 284 fields, which were identified from public feedback, cover almost 500ha (equivalent to some 780 football fields). Located throughout Singapore, with more than half near housing estates, these fields are easily accessible to the public. In 2007, SLA improved all 284 sites so that they will be even safer and more conducive for the public to enjoy their activities on. Besides regular basic maintenance, SLA went one up to improve the ground by turfing and leveling them to eliminate potholes, and make them more solid with more compacted earth.

Today, many of these sites have become popular with different groups of users. Some are regular grounds for motorized kite-flyers; others see senior citizens playing gateball on them. SLA is glad to see the way that the communities have integrated these sites into their social lives, and at the same time, livening up the heartlands with their activities.

(2)            Adopt–a-field programme

To inculcate in our public a sense of ownership and responsibility for such fields, SLA introduced the “Adopt-A-Field” (AAF) programme in 2007. The programme encourages private sector organisations and grassroot organisations to “adopt” any of the 284 fields. Organisations may select fields for adoption based on proximity or other reasons. State field adopted are still open to the public for casual uses at no charge.

The AAF programme provides a platform for corporate organisations or Grassroots Organisations to further their corporate mission, whether it is to organize activities for a pre-identified group or for the general public. As such, the guidelines for AAF are as follows:-