TODAYonline | Singapore | North Eastern Riverine Loop connects 4 parks

TODAYonline | Singapore | North Eastern Riverine Loop connects 4 parks

North Eastern Riverine Loop connects 4 parks
Updated 03:50 PM Feb 25, 2012
SINGAPORE - Residents in the North Eastern part of Singapore can now enjoy a seamless journey around the area.

A new loop of park connectors was launched today by Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Teo Chee Hean.

Visitors to the North Eastern Riverine Loop will follow the natural coastline of Punggol Beach and the river banks of Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon. Along the way, they will be able to see rich biodiversity such as different species of water birds and plants.

The 26-kilometre loop connects six existing park connectors - Punggol Park Connector, Punggol Promenade, Serangoon Park Connector, Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, Buangkok Park Connector and Punggol Waterway. It also serves to link four parks together - Punggol Park, Punggol Waterway Park, Punggol Point Park and Sengkang Riverside Park.

Developed at a cost of S$57 million, the loop is part of the City in a Garden vision announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally last year.

One-third of the loop was developed by NParks, while portions of the loop were developed by the Housing Development Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Users can download DIY trail-guides online, which provide interesting information and highlights of the loop.

Plans to develop a Round Island Route (RIR) were also announced, which hopes to connect residents around Singapore to a recreational destination on a national scale.

The idea was hatched from NPark's City in a Garden public engagement exercise, which was launched last year.

It gathered feedback from more than 3,000 residents.

Over the next few months, the National Parks Board will be organising exhibitions for the public to continue giving suggestions and feedback for RIR.

Ms Kartini Omar-hor, general manager (Parks), National Parks Board, said: "Optimising urban spaces as well as urban infrastructure for greenery and recreation forms an important part of our City in a Garden vision.

"So we are always exploring and seeking ways to provide residents with new leisure dimension, therefore creating new experiences, sights for residents to enjoy, all over the island." CHANNEL NEWSASIA