NParks’ plant lover Lilian Kwok fuses passion and garden design for 43 years
Published on
10 Dec 2022
Published by
The Straits Times
SINGAPORE – Ms Lilian Kwok’s passion for plants has kept her going for 43 years at the National Parks Board (NParks) and its predecessor, the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD).
Growing up in a kampung in Sembawang, she grew her own vegetables and fruit such as sweet potato, guava, soursop and pomegranate, and discovered her love of nature.
The 64-year-old public servant says: “Plants have always fascinated me. So I am truly fortunate to have found a job – designing gardens which are beautiful and functional – that matches my passion.
“It gives me immense joy whenever my colleagues and I complete a project in the best way we can. Seeing park users enjoy our green spaces also gives me great satisfaction, and I am happy to have met many appreciative and kind park users over the years.”
The Singaporean interned at PRD for nine months in 1978 as part of her diploma course at the school of ornamental horticulture at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. A year later, she signed on as a horticulture assistant and worked on planning and implementing landscape designs for walkways in places such as the Central Business District, Parliament House and many other parks and open spaces.
She was promoted to assistant curator in 1989, project manager in 1996, section head in 2011, deputy director for horticulture standards and management in 2014, and her current position as director of nursery and horticulture outreach in 2016. The PRD merged with NParks in 1996.
Ms Kwok now oversees the Native Plant Centre and Pasir Panjang Nursery, which grows, houses and supplies plants for greening and conservation efforts, as well as the horticulture outreach and heritage trees teams.
She also works with her colleagues to increase the biodiversity of forests and nature areas, as well as reintroduce rare plant species to Singapore’s forests.
Over her long career, she has helped create many green public spaces, from playgrounds to regional parks, parks connectors and nature areas. Looking back, the mother of one says: “My job has allowed me to witness Singapore’s greening journey and transformation from a Garden City, to a City in a Garden, and now a City in Nature.”
One project she recalls fondly was designing the front lawn of the Istana in the mid-1990s, where she got to explore different plant displays and evaluate them on appearance, functionality and ease of maintenance. Currently, there is a variant of the rain tree, with striking yellow leaves, still standing on the front lawn, which was planted in 1998 by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Ms Kwok stayed on for the many learning opportunities provided by her supervisors and colleagues. “At NParks, there is always lots to learn from our experts.”
In line with the spirit of lifelong learning, she is a certified horticulturist and arborist, and a Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications trainer – and continues to pick up new skills.
Looking back on her career, she says she enjoyed growing up with NParks. “I get satisfaction knowing that my work improves our living environment for everyone, and this is good for my mental and physical well-being.”
Her supervisor Sophianne Araib, who is NParks’ group director for horticulture and community gardening, says Ms Kwok is always humble and willing to go out of her way to help others.
“Lilian’s experience and knowledge accumulated over her many years of service make her a true gem. Her passion for horticulture and her vast knowledge of plants and garden design are most admirable.”
Asked if she has advice for young workers, Ms Kwok suggests picking an area or field they enjoy. “This is very important. With hard work and passion, they will in time excel. Also, be humble, start off from the basics, be hungry to improve their skills and knowledge, and be a good team player.”
Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
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