Vimita Mohandas/Monica Kotwani Channel NewsAsia 23 Jan 11;
SINGAPORE: Residents in northern Singapore can now enjoy a spanking new recreational destination with the completion of the Woodlands Waterfront.
The Woodlands Waterfront boasts a scenic nine-hectare coastal park and a 1.5km-long waterfront promenade.
Visitors can also enjoy a scenic view of the entire coastal park and the Straits of Johor from high vantage points along the newly opened trail.
The park is furnished with rest shelters and dedicated jogging and cycling tracks.
A 700m-long cantilevered waterfront promenade, which was open to the public last November, also brings visitors closer to the coastline.
Once a warehouse site, the Woodlands Waterfront was officially opened on Sunday by MP for Sembawang GRC and Minister for Health, Khaw Boon Wan.
The S$19m project took about two years to build. About three hectares were opened to the public when the first phase of the waterfront was completed last May.
Sembawang GRC resident, Hamidah Salleh, said: "We came here a few times during the night. It's very alive and vibrant at night itself. You don't expect that at 11 and 12 o'clock (at night), there's still a lot of people here....barbecuing, fishing and playing around. It's quite fun, I like the atmosphere."
Madam Hamidah said another feature of the park she likes is the multi-generational playground.
"The playground is suitable for all ages, even for the elderly. There's a lot of exercise equipment they can use to do a bit of movement. So I think you can bring grandma, grandpa, little children (here). Everybody can enjoy here. I think that's what I like about this place."
Woodlands Waterfront also features a spacious carpark, with more than 100 parking lots.
-CNA/wk/ir
Woodlands Waterfront unveiled
Monica Kotwani Today Online 24 Jan 11;
SINGAPORE - Once a warehouse site, the Woodlands Waterfront was officially opened yesterday - providing residents in the north with a scenic nine-hectare coastal park with a 1.5-km-long waterfront.
Visitors will be treated to the sight of rolling greenery and a panoramic view of Johor Baru's skyline, while enjoying the sea breeze.
The park was unveiled yesterday by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who is also a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC.
Teacher Mdm Hamidah Salleh, a Sembawang resident, has found the park to be full of activities on several occasions.
She said: "There is still a lot of people around, barbecuing and fishing and playing around. It's fun, I like the atmosphere."
The $19-million project took about two years to complete.
About three hectares were opened to the public when the first phase of the waterfront was completed last May.
Yesterday's official launch saw the opening of the 700-metre long waterfront promenade with fitness stations and lookout points.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said it had to design the landscape to showcase the park's main attraction - the waterfront area.
URA group director of conservation and development services Ler Seng Ann said: "(We) created a unique playground area using the contour of the land. When you arrive at the park, you do not see the waterfront - until you enter the event plaza, and that's when the waterfront is unveiled."
Mr Ler said consultation with the residents ensured that the park's features met their needs. And there are plans for similar projects in the near future, he added.
Said Mr Ler: "One of the areas we will be looking at will be the Yishun area. We are planning to rejuvenate the area, so hopefully residents can have an added facility to enjoy themselves."
Referring to the Northern Explorer Park Connector Network - a-25-km loop linking parks and nature sites in northern Singapore - Mr Ler said the longer term plan was to link up parks and natures sites islandwide. Monica Kotwani
Waterfront park opens in Woodlands
Straits Times 24 Jan 11;
WOODLANDS' $19 million coastal park and promenade were officially opened yesterday.
Woodlands Waterfront, as this recreational playground for residents in the north has been named, comprises a 9ha coastal park and a 1.5km-long waterfront promenade.
It also has an event plaza, picnic areas, a playground and an undulating track for cyclists and runners.
Health Minister and Sembawang GRC MP Khaw Boon Wan, who was the guest of honour at the official opening, called the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) project 'good value for money'.
He said: 'I've been here several times now, at different times of the day, and it is very well used. I've noticed many come here either to do exercise... or fishing, catching crabs. Or just simply to look at the sunrise and sunset and in the evening, the night skyline of Johor Baru.'
At least 10,000 people have visited the green space so far, said a URA spokesman.
Work on Woodlands Waterfront began in 2009. The first phase launched in May last year made the first 3ha of coastal park and a 400m jetty - one of Singapore's longest recreational ones - accessible to residents.
Mr Ler Seng Ann, URA's group director for conservation and development services, said more improvements are in the pipeline, with the rejuvenation of the Yishun Pond area.
In the meantime, Woodlands Waterfront has become a hit with residents such as Mr Sethupillai Ganesan, a 37-year-old assistant safety manager who lives in Marsiling.
He has been going there with his 11/2-year-old son up to three times a week.
He said: 'I used to have to go all the way to East Coast Park. Now, good air, a free sea view and plenty of greenery are just five minutes away from home.'
MELISSA PANG
