Natasha Ann Zachariah Straits Times 18 Sep 11;
Nature-lovers have been complaining recently that their usual haunts such as MacRitchie Reservoir, Botanic Gardens and East Coast Park have become too crowded.
But apart from these three, there are more than 300 parks in Singapore waiting to be enjoyed. And the National Parks Board yesterday launched an inaugural Parks Festival with activities over the next nine days, including a night forest exploration at HortPark and guided walks.
LifeStyle presents eight lesser-known parks and their unique attractions.
JURONG CENTRAL PARK
Where: Jalan Boon Lay junction with Boon Lay Way, across from Boon Lay MRT Station
What to see: Play on a life-size version of the boardgame Snakes and Ladders, or on the slides and swings at this 8ha park.
There is also a Ludo Garden, modelled after the game, where colourful plants have been grown to represent different colours for different teams.
For fitness enthusiasts, there is a 2km cycling and jogging track.
TOA PAYOH TOWN PARK
Where: Junction of Toa Payoh Lorong 2 and Toa Payoh Lorong 6
What to see: The most outstanding feature of one of Singapore's oldest parks - it was built in the 1970s - is its landscaped ponds.
Surrounded by huge, willowy trees, there are cascading pools at the edge of the main pond. An observation tower also has a fountain pool around it.
The park also has trellises with climbing plants and flowers, which add colour to the lush greenery.
There is also a large pavilion and gazebos for group activities.
ADMIRALTY PARK
Where: Riverside Road, 15 minutes by foot from Woodlands MRT station
What to see: The 27ha park in the north-west is home to more than 100 species of animals, birds and plants. It is also the biggest nature area within a park in Singapore.
It is also the only park where visitors can see five types of habitats - open grassland, tropical rainforest and mangroves. Visitors can explore the area using three boardwalks or by taking a 2km nature trail.
You can arrange a guided walk, such as Shoots, Roots & Fruits!, organised by NParks. And the park has Wi-Fi at certain spots.
SENGKANG RIVERSIDE PARK
Where: Anchorvale Street, near Sungei Punggol
What to see: This park focuses on edible fruit trees. Star fruit, chiku, pineapple and dragon fruit all grow here. Look for them as you walk through the park areas from Mango Hilltop and Citrus Grove to Pineapple Valley.
Singapore's largest man-made wetland, the Sengkang Floating Island, is also here. It attracts birds such as the purple heron, collared kingfisher and little terna.
Visitors can get to the wetland, which is in the middle of a reservoir, via a floating boardwalk. Once there, explore the area by walking on the pedestrian foot bridge.
In keeping with the fruit theme, there is a large 'mangosteen' pavilion complete with orange seats and peel-through orange slices where you can see the water below.
WOODLANDS WATERFRONT
Where: Admiralty Road West
What to see: One of the newer kids on the block, it was officially opened in January this year. The coastal park boasts a 1.5km waterfront promenade and a refurbished jetty (right), which at 400m, is the longest in Singapore. Over at the adventure playground, there are fitness points and a two-storey-high 'sky walk' - a mesh bridge on which people can climb and cross.
The 'Central Spine' area has a panoramic seaview, and can also be used to hold large-scale community activities such as mass exercises or performances.
For those who fancy a long stroll, this park connects with Admiralty Park.
DAIRY FARM NATURE PARK
Where: 100 Dairy Farm Road
What to see: A cowshed has been turned into Singapore's first outdoor environmental learning space - the Wallace Environmental Learning Lab. Named after Dr Alfred Russell Wallace, the English naturalist and evolutionist, the two-year-old centre shows the changing landscape of Dairy Farm and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve through educational exhibits, and is open for school group bookings.
There is also a quarry at the south that has attracted dragonflies and rare species of wildlife such as the endangered Little Grebe bird.
ANG MO KIO TOWN GARDEN WEST
Where: Opposite Ang Mo Kio Town Library, along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6
What to see: Channel your inner Rocky Balboa and conquer the 120-step staircase at this park, built on a hill. Once at the top, there is a pergola, a gazebo-like shaded feature, as well as plazas where park visitors can enjoy the lush greenery.
There is a landscaped pond at the entrance and a forest within the park where plants such as dillenia and vitex can be found. NParks advises runners to tread carefully where plants grow over the footpath.
CHOA CHU KANG PARK
Where: Beside Kranji Expressway and along Choa Chu Kang Drive
What to see: This is the park for multi-generational family time. There is a children's playground, an adventure playground, a multi- purpose court for exercising and a fitness corner.
Have a picnic or work up a tan on the wide, grassy spaces at this tranquil location.
But residents will tell you that the best-kept secret here is the Rasa Istimewa C2K Restaurant, a halal seafood restaurant in the park which opened in 2003.
Its draw is the open concept amid greenery, where diners can enjoy the cool breeze as they feast on local favourites such as satay and barbecued stingray.
