Madam Halimah Yacob, as highlighted by The Straits Times, prioritized enhancing accessibility at Istana before her presidential inauguration in 2017. Throughout her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the Picnic@Istana series and the creation of the Inclusive Garden, all aimed at welcoming and accommodating a diverse range of visitors:

President Halimah Yacob’s pushed to make the Istana grounds more accessible for Singaporeans. The Istana now holds open houses five times a year, during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Labour Day and National Day, but Madam Halimah said she felt it should be more accessible. Noting how the National Parks Board used the Istana grounds as a “test bed” to experiment with plants potentially suitable for Singapore, and how some trees on the sprawling grounds off Orchard Road are more than a hundred years old, Madam Halimah added: “I really hope that making the Istana grounds more accessible to Singaporeans will also develop their sense of pride, identity, and sense of belonging as a Singaporean.”