MacRitchie Reservoir Park: Too popular for its own good?

Some users say crowds shatter the peace and block running trails
Feng Zengkun Straits Times 12 Sep 11;

WITH its still waters and lush forests, MacRitchie Reservoir Park is a magnet for nature lovers keen to relax and soak up the great outdoors.

For some, however, the reserve has become a little too popular for its own good. They say the peace has been shattered by hikers and runners cramming the footpaths and boardwalks. One long-time visitor even compared MacRitchie to an amusement park.

And its popularity is likely to rise further after construction work to improve its facilities is completed next month.

'As it is, I already have to run around couples who hold hands while hiking and block half the path,' said Mr Patrick Poon, 35, an IT analyst who jogs at the park three times a week.

Engineer Lloyd Tan, 29, said the number of hikers and casual strollers has surged. He added that a steady stream of new nature attractions islandwide has boosted enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits. Among them are the HSBC TreeTop Walk, launched at MacRitchie in 2004, and HortPark, at the Southern Ridges in 2007.

In addition, more Singaporeans are catching the running bug. Last year, 37 mass runs were held, up from 26 in 2009.

'It used to be that you would see another runner only once in a while,' said Mr Tan, who jogs at the reservoir on weekends. 'But now the park feels like an amusement park sometimes.'

The construction work at MacRitchie is part of national water agency PUB's ongoing programme to beautify Singapore's water spaces.

More parking places have already been added, as well as a visitors' centre and pedestrian-only paths. Next month, a renovated bandstand, a new restaurant and an educational boardwalk will be unveiled.

When The Straits Times visited the park last Friday, two firms were holding corporate events there. Last Saturday evening, despite the drizzle, it was filled with cyclists, hikers and families. Many said the park's central location and mix of facilities - including open spaces, forest trails and canoes - were irresistible.

Student Fauzy Kamal, 14, who regularly cycles there with his friends, said: 'You can feel the wind on your face, and smell grass and water everywhere.'

Despite the park's burgeoning popularity, some parts remain tranquil. Teacher Annabelle Ng, 28, who belongs to the national kayaking team and started training at the park in 2006, said there had been no increase in boats on the water.

Instead, newcomers seem to favour popular boardwalks and dirt trails, say other parkgoers.

The Prunus Trail boardwalk is just wide enough for two people to run side by side. When The Straits Times visited last Saturday, families were strolling leisurely on the boardwalk while runners sprinted around them.

Expatriate couple Saad and Alice Zaheer, both 40, said the park was spacious enough to accommodate all users. 'We come here every week with our children, and no one has ever complained that we take up too much space,' said Mrs Zaheer, a Saudi banking executive.

However, property agent Victor Goh, 63, who goes to the park five times a week, said it was 'inappropriate' for runners to use the boardwalk. 'It's meant for brisk walkers such as myself. Many elderly people walk there, and runners could easily knock them into the water because the boardwalk is narrow.'

Some parkgoers said they were concerned about a hairier nuisance - monkeys from the forest. They said the influx of visitors had emboldened the macaques. Ms Ng said they once broke a toilet window to get to the kayaking team's vitamin supplements.

The National Parks Board said people should not eat or drink outside the visitors' centre, feed the monkeys or make eye contact with them.

As for the crowds at the park, company director Huw Collett, 52, is confident park users will eventually sort out any territorial angst. 'This is one of the best parts of Singapore,' he said. 'If anything, we should be glad it's finally getting the attention it deserves.'