Leave nature trail alone

Netizens slam retiree Larry Quah, who asked for the path at MacRitchie Reservoir to be cleared after he tripped over a stone
Melissa Kok Straits Times 22 Sep 13;


Mr Larry Quah on a segment of a trail at MacRitchie Reservoir, where cookies are cemented onto the ground, and where he fell. Regular runners suggest that those who find the trail too tough can opt for safer routes such as the boardwalk (above) near the Lornie Trail. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

A letter proposing to make a nature trail safer has riled some users of MacRitchie Reservoir, and the retiree who made the suggestion has now found himself the target of online abuse.

Mr Larry Quah, 65, wrote to The Straits Times Forum recently after taking a nasty tumble while brisk-walking along a trail near the reservoir's TreeTop Walk in July. An edited version of the letter, which proposed removing protruding stones and tree roots along the stretch, was published on The Straits Times website last Saturday. It quickly went viral.

It has been shared more than 18,000 times on Facebook and has drawn more than 100 comments, mostly from dissenters slamming his suggestion.

Many of the online comments, directed at MrQuah, told him to seek alternative places to exercise and to leave the nature trail alone.

Online user Leon Lim posted on the ST website: "Apparently the MacRitchie nature trail is too adventurous for you to handle. Don't change it because you cannot. Try treadmill instead."

The National Parks Board has since replied to say that while it carries out regular maintenance works, it is not possible to clear all the rocks and branches. Regular visitors to the reservoir also say the nature trail is safe and should be left untouched.

When SundayLife! met Mr Quah at MacRitchie Reservoir last Wednesday, the father of two expressed dismay over how his words have been taken out of context.

"I've been running at the reservoir since I was 16. I've had my fair share of tumbles here and I've never complained," he said. "I'm not asking for all the rocks in the entire reservoir trail to be removed."

What he wants is for a specific 100m stretch of the nature trail - a steep downhill slope which runs parallel to a service road at the neighbouring Singapore Island Country Club that leads to the TreeTop Walk - to be made safer.

It was there that he lost his balance and fell after his foot struck a stone. He fractured his left collarbone, cracked two ribs and suffered multiple lacerations on his body. He said it took five weeks for his fractures to heal.

Mr Quah, who used to walk at the reservoir six days a week before his fall, conceded that he slipped and fell as he was distracted while chatting with a friend. "I just wanted to highlight that all it takes is a split second, just a slip in concentration and you can fall."

Noting that segments of the nature trail, which is known to be extremely muddy, have been made safer in the past, he thought the board could make the steep slope safer too.

Over the years, parts of the path have been cemented and round pieces of wood, or cookies, placed on it so trekkers and joggers can walk on them when the trail gets slippery.

In the letter that was published, Mr Quah said: "I understand that the nature trail has to be left untouched as much as possible." But maintenance should be undertaken to remove protruding branches, stones and roots that may pose a danger to visitors, he added.

In a reply published on the ST website last Thursday, Mr Wong Tuan Wah, the board's director of conservation, said trail maintenance to remove large rocks and fallen tree branches is carried out regularly.

"But it is not feasible to remove all the rocks and cut all branches and roots of trees along a trail in a nature reserve," he added, and advised users to "take extra care when exercising at nature trails".

Mr Steven Lee, 62, president of the 400-strong MacRitchie Runners 25 club, whose members run at the reservoir regularly, agreed, saying the trail is safe for running.

He suggested that those who find the terrain too tough can opt for safer routes along the reservoir, such as the boardwalk that runs along the perimeter of the reservoir near the Lornie Trail.

But he cautioned: "If you're new, concentrate on your steps."

Mr Ford Lim, 26, founder of running group UltraRunning Singapore, said he respects Mr Quah's views but noted: "Trail running is about variety. Trail runners... like that the environment is constantly changing and that is part and parcel of the sport."

He added: "The entire route at MacRitchie reservoir is 10km, so it's not hard to manoeuvre. Just be wary of slopes."

Mr Jon Fong, 33, co-founder, head coach and lead sports scientist at Journey Fitness Company, which helps train runners and triathletes, noted that it is common to find potholes, sharp rocks, broken branches and slippery and unstable surfaces on most trails.

Unfazed by his accident, Mr Quah said he would return to the nature trail once he makes a complete recovery.

Despite his complaints, he said: "I still love the challenge of the trail, the undulating terrain and the fresh air on my morning walks."