Early years

Dunman's Green was one of the earliest public parks in Singapore,^[2] it was named after the first Superintendent of Police Thomas Dunman who retired in 1871. In 1876, it was renamed as Hong Lim Green in honour of Cheang Hong Lim (Chinese: 章芳林; pinyin: Zhāng Fāng Lín), a wealthy Chinese Hokkien businessman and philanthropist who bought and donated the land to the government.

In 1885, a Mansard roofed Police Courts building known as the Criminal District and Magistrates' Courts, was built on the grounds of the park. The North Canal Post Office was also built in the area, which was situated closer to the North Canal Road, while the Police Courts building was situated closer to the South Bridge Road. The first Straits Chinese Recreation Club clubhouse was built at the centre of the park, an octagonal pavilion designed by H.D. Richards, was officially opened to members by Chinese consul Tso Ping Lung on 2 July 1887.^[3] In 1914, the original clubhouse was demolished for the construction of a new pavilion, which had improved lighting and facilities and had its entrance facing New Bridge Road.

Hong Lim Green would start its first storytelling tradition during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in the 1940s. After the war, it was used as a cricket ground by members of the Singapore Chinese Recreation Club and the Singapore Cricket Club, and was also the venue for many of the first political speeches and election rallies in the 1950s.^[4] In 1951, two courthouses which were meant to be temporary were built near the Criminal District and Magistrates' Courts.^[5]

With Singapore Chinese Recreation Club vacated the premises on 31 July 1959 and moved to Shenton Way, its former clubhouse's demolition started on the following day to make way for new developments.^[6]

Refurbishment

Hong Lim Green was refurbished by the City Council of Singapore with new grass turf, a sand filled children's playground, a fountain, park facilities, and an open-air theatre was built at a cost of S$173,000, it was renamed to Hong Lim Park and officially reopened by S. Rajaratnam on 23 April 1960.^[7] On the following day, the Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre, which was behind the open-air theatre, was officially opened by Dr Goh Keng Swee.^[8]

The storytelling tradition was once again resumed in another medium as Chinese operas were performed at the open-air theatre from the 1960s to 1970s. The park had also become an attractive location for cultural shows, outdoor movie screenings and election rallies once again.

The Criminal District and Magistrates' Courts and the two temporary courthouses, which had remained at the park for 90 years and 24 years respectively, was demolished soon after the Subordinate Courts was opened for operation on 15 September 1975, the site of the former police courts building is currently an empty field with a toilet facility to cater as part of the event venue. The park's playground had since been removed.

The former North Canal Post Office had been renovated and converted into the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post in the late 1980s. From September 2000, it also serves as a registration centre for anyone who wishes to give speeches or set up events at the Speakers' Corner.

In 2005, the Hong Lim Park Open Stage was refurbished to incorporate a modern-looking pure Teflon tentage that preserved the historical stage layout of the 1950s.^[9]