Colin Lai Jun Hao Today Online 21 Oct 13;
I applaud the National Parks Board for upgrading the East Coast Park’s facilities to fit the public’s ever-changing needs. (“Halt in Marine Cove redevelopment work due to traffic flow study”; Oct 16).
The NParks Director for Parks Development gave us a glimpse into the park’s future, of which he mentioned the provision of family-friendly amenities, including a range of recreational options.
I urge NParks, though, not to forget what the park, and every park in Singapore, was initially set up to accomplish: A greenery-filled enclave, an escape from the constant drumming of city life, an organic set of lungs for our city-state.
East Coast Park, being the largest and longest park here, experiences its fair share of crowds on weekends.
While the activities on offer suit these diverse crowds, is it still the park for all to have? Or has it been capitalised upon, with the original goals forgotten?
With these crowds come the rubbish. And in a seeming textbook example of diffusion of responsibility, countless park goers light up in plain view of “No Smoking” signboards.
Besides being an obvious fire hazard, it is ironic how the cyclists and runners have to breathe in second-hand smoke in their quest for better physical health.
Furthermore, the human congestion within the park is as pertinent as the traffic congestion around the area.
Cyclists have difficulty navigating the cycling lanes that are now choked not only by four-wheelers and children unable to balance on bicycles, travelling with little predictability, but also pedestrians walking in the middle of cycling lanes.
With many dining and recreation options already on offer, it is time that NParks consider the negative externalities generated by the increase in these pull factors.
Let us not forget how it feels to be immersed, together, in this excellent 12-kilometre stretch of flora.
Halt in Marine Cove redevelopment work due to traffic flow study
Tiara Hamarian Today Online 21 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE — One-and-a-half years after the Marine Cove enclave in East Coast Park — where a cluster of restaurants, pubs and the famous McDonald’s outlet used to stand — closed to make way for redevelopment, little progress in new construction work seems to have been made in the area, leading some to wonder what was happening to the place.
Mr Albert Tan, a senior instructor at Inline Culture, the nearby skating shop, said he had noticed some construction soon after the area was shut in March last year, but these stopped about a month or two later.
Ms Liza Estraaten and Mr Freddy Ho, a married couple in their mid-40s who frequented Marine Cove almost weekly before its closure, were puzzled as to why things were still the same as when they last visited last month. “It was closed (then), so we came again to see if there’s anything new, but it looks the same as it did the last time.”
The former Marine Bowl building is also still there, although parts of other buildings in the area have been torn down.
In response to TODAY’s queries, the National Parks Board (NParks), which owns Marine Cove, said the delay in redevelopment work was due to a study on how to improve traffic flow around the area — congestion was not uncommon in the past.
“We seek the public’s understanding as such studies take time,” said NParks Director for Parks Development Yeo Meng Tong.
But what plans are in store for the once-bustling area remain unclear, with Mr Yeo saying only that Marine Cove will be developed “in line with the coastal theme” of East Coast Park.
“In view of the park’s popularity with visitors from all over Singapore, we will provide family-friendly amenities at Marine Cove, including a range of recreational options,” he added.
When the notice to Marine Cove tenants to clear out was first given in 2010, there were fervent petitions to keep the place going. Although two extensions were granted, the cluster was subsequently shut down last year.
Mr Tan, the 39-year-old skating instructor, still rues the closure of Marine Cove: “There used to be more people around here. It’s such a waste because nothing seems to be happening now.”
Mr Yeo said park users can continue to enjoy dining and recreational activities in areas such as Rain Tree Cove, Big Splash, as well as the coming Parkland@ECP, which is expected to be ready by the second quarter of next year. TIARA HAMARIAN
