Share
This winter, Tin Shui Wai welcomed an exciting new landmark. The rooftop of Link’s T Town has been transformed into “The Wonderful Town of Play”, Hong Kong’s first outdoor playground inspired by wetland ecosystems. Covering more than 32,000 square feet, this free, open-access space is more than just a playground for children; it is a vibrant community hub where neighbours can pause, connect, and infuse daily life with nature and energy.
It all started with a simple question: “What is Tin Shui Wai’s community missing?”
“We observed that the Tin Shui Wai community lacks outdoor spaces where people can both relax and incorporate them into their daily routines,” recalls Brian Choi, Link’s Senior Manager of Asset Management (HK), reflecting on the project’s beginnings. His team immersed themselves in the community, conducting questionnaires and focus groups with parents, children and charitable organisations to hear residents’ authentic voice.
“We identified an underutilised rooftop at the mall. By adding a direct pathway, we make it feel welcoming and truly accessible to everyone.” Brian adds with a smile: “What I hope most is that when residents wonder, ‘Where should we go today?’, ‘The Wonderful Town of Play’ naturally comes to mind.”
Two towering structures immediately capture visitors’ attention upon entering “The Wonderful Town of Play”: the six-metre-tall BulBul Bird Tower and the five-metre-tall Spoonbill Vertical Climber. Featuring BulBul, the red-whiskered bulbul, and BillBill, the black-faced spoonbill, these installations invite children to test their climbing skills and speed down thrilling slides. The playground also features themed zones such as Spot-billed Duck, Fiddler Crab and Mangrove, each revealing a different aspect of wetland life.
According to Alan Cheung, Co-founder and Managing Director of One Bite Design Studio, who served as the project’s design lead, “The spirit of placemaking centres on people, nurturing community through space.” Rather than creating fictional cartoon characters, Alan transformed Tin Shui Wai’s unique wetland creatures – black-faced spoonbills, fiddler crabs and tree frogs – into playful companions for children.
“The best learning often happens during play,” Alan says. “When children remember BillBill and BulBul, they’re not just recalling a piece of equipment or an animal; they’re beginning to form an emotional bond with this place.”
Every detail at “The Wonderful Town of Play” carries meaning. The black-faced spoonbill's migration routes, the red-whiskered bulbul’s song, the fiddler crab’s oversized claw waving across mudflats – all become tangible, sensory clues. As children run, climb and explore, they quietly absorb lessons from this wetland “textbook”.
On a sunny weekend afternoon, Bau Bau’s mother brings her son, Bau Bau, to ‘The Wonderful Town of Play’. “Children love the animal-themed zones. It’s not just play, it is like stepping into a world full of stories,” she says. “Compared to standard park playgrounds, there are more climbing options here, and children learn about wetland animals along the way.”
Yin Yin’s mother shares a similar view: “This space feels so open and inviting, with colourful facilities and lots of cute animal details. Before, when I went grocery shopping, I’d have to leave my daughter at home first. Now I can bring her along. She plays happily while I run errands. It’s so convenient.” Yin Yin adds excitedly: “I love the slides and trampolines most!”
For Brian, this playground is not more than just a quick stop. It forms part of a seamless experience. “From entering the mall and heading up to the rooftop, to children playing freely and parents take a moment to rest, then returning to the mall for shopping and dining – this is all connected,” he explains.
Link envisions “The Wonderful Town of Play” as a platform for community activities. By inviting charitable organisations and service groups to host programmes, the space will weave itself into residents’ daily routines. Brian adds: “When this space fills with activities and memories, it will truly come alive.”
Alan echoes this vision: “Placemaking isn’t about a fixed design; it’s about creating a space that evolves and grows more vibrant through community interaction.”
Grocery shopping, dining and tutoring have long been at the centre of the T Town experience. Now, the mall offers something more special – a place to pause, breathe and play. “The Wonderful Town of Play” lets children discover nature through play, while parents share in these moments, fostering family bonds and adding warmth to everyday life in Tin Shui Wai.
