Take the plunge, get married at Jurong Lake
Cai Haoxiang Straits Times 26 Sep 10;
Residents living in the west can now fish, watch performances and enjoy wildlife at a revamped section of Jurong Lake.
The completed $6.7 million project under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme of national water agency PUB was opened yesterday by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Mr Tharman, an MP for Jurong GRC, outlined the improvements made to the lake after attending Mid-Autumn festivities with the area's residents.
He said the lake has been dredged so it is 2m deep in most areas and can be used for water sports like kayaking and rowing. It now has a boardwalk and fishing deck, while floating plants form a wetland that will attract wildlife such as birds.
A 20m-high fountain will also operate in front of a promenade section by the lake with a stage and gallery seats.
'In fact this is a beautiful place to get married,' Mr Tharman quipped. 'With a fountain in the background and the Chinese Gardens, any time of the day, so please, proceed.'
He cautioned, however, that the improvements will need looking after by residents to make sure the lake is not 'spoilt after three or four years'.
Eight organisations have stepped forth to pledge to look after the lake, he said.
For instance, Lakeside Primary School and Fuhua Secondary School will conduct joint history and science activities there.
Said Lakeside Primary's principal Chew Chong Theng: 'There's a rich environment here for the learning of science, especially biology.'
Mr Tharman also announced a new cycling track around Taman Jurong that will connect Lakeside MRT station to Jurong Lake Park, to be completed by the end of this year.
'Eventually, we'll do it in other parts of Jurong so that this really becomes a cycling town,' he said.
New cycling path for residents of Jurong East by year-end
Lynda Hong Channel NewsAsia 25 Sep 10;
SINGAPORE : Residents in Jurong East can look forward to a new cycling path between Jurong Lake Park and Lakeside MRT station by the end of the year.
The dedicated off-road cycling paths around Taman Jurong will connect to Jurong Lake Park as well as Lakeside MRT station.
Construction work for the first phase of the cycling paths should be completed around the end of this year - allowing for seamless cycling from Lakeside MRT station to Jurong Lake Park, and continuing along Yuan Ching Road and Ho Ching Road, connecting to Taman Jurong Community Club and Market and Hawker Centre.
Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also MP for Jurong GRC, announced this to his residents on Saturday evening, at the launch of the Active Beautiful and Clean Waters Programme at Jurong Lake Park.
The water body has been transformed for recreational use, in addition to its main function of fulfilling Singapore's water needs.
Residents also enjoyed the recreation facilities, while celebrating the mid-autumn festival.
The S$6.7 million facility includes recreational places like a 235-metre boardwalk and fishing deck, as well as a stage and viewing gallery along the south-western promenade.
The Jurong Lake Park also offers a chance for fishing, kayaking and dragon boating.
It has dedicated lanes for competitive rowing and a water activity-based centre operated by the People's Association.
In addition, extended footpaths from the existing park connector bring people closer to the north-western lake shoreline, so they can enjoy sport fishing and a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. - CNA/ms
