Alice Chia Channel NewsAsia 26 Nov 16;
SINGAPORE: A 3m-tall waterfall, swamp forest nature trail and hanging bonsai garden – these are some of the features that may be seen in the central and eastern parts of the new Jurong Lake Gardens when works there are completed progressively from 2020.
Local firm Liu & Wo Architects, which was awarded the design consultancy tender in October, came up with these ideas. The firm said it took into consideration the need to preserve nature by retaining existing biodiversity hotspots, while enhancing the gardens.
Jurong Lake Gardens Central, where the existing Chinese and Japanese Gardens are located, will feature tropical horticultural gardens within a rustic setting. The seven-storey pagoda will be retained and there are plans to create spaces near it for park users to rest and enjoy nature.
One highlight is a “water-wall” court surrounded on three sides by a 3m-high waterfall. The Bonsai Garden will also get a hanging bonsai gate, where the plants look like they are suspended in mid-air.
Jurong Lake Gardens East – now mostly a grass patch running down the eastern edge of the lake – will be transformed into a waterfront promenade fronting the future Science Centre. There are also plans to create a water gallery trail where boats can travel along the banks of the lake surrounded by a swamp forest.
There will also be food and beverage outlets, including a restaurant serving fresh vegetables harvested from the gardens, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Nov 26). He was at the launch of an exhibition which showcases the proposals so the public can give feedback on refinements.
There will also be a series of townhall and roving exhibitions in locations like Lakeside MRT station and Canopy @ J Link from now until February next year.
Residents can also expect better connectivity, with the future High-Speed Rail terminus likely linked to the gardens to create a connected 6km-long green belt, Mr Wong added.
Calling it the "third national garden" - the first two being the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay - Mr Wong said it will be "a good mix of community and nature", and a "good blend of something familiar, with many new elements which are exciting and fresh."
Works for the western part of the gardens started in April and will be completed in 2018. The development of the central and eastern parts will start after that.
- CNA/cy
Exhibition for public engagement sessions on Jurong Lake Gardens launched
Today Online 27 Nov 16;
SINGAPORE — The National Parks Board (NParks) on Saturday (Nov 26) launched an exhibition to gather public feedback on the winning consultant team’s proposal for Jurong Lake Gardens (JLG) Central and East.
“While JLG West will focus on the restoration of natural habitats and nature-themed family recreation, JLG Central will feature tropical horticultural gardens within a natural and rustic setting,” said NParks in a press statement.
The exhibition will be held from Saturday to Dec 4 at Canopy @ J Link in Jurong East, and from Dec 5 to 11 at Lakeside MRT Station, and in various townhall sessions from December this year to February next year. The public can also provide their suggestions through online feedback on the JLG website from Saturday.
JLG Central and East will be designed by a team comprising Liu & Wo Architects, Landscape Design and SALD, and will be progressively completed from 2020 onwards. Development for JLG West commenced in April 2016 and and is scheduled for completion in 2018.
The exhibition was officially opened by Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, at the Canopy @ J Link. Among those in attendance was Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations.
The entire garden at Jurong Lake is 90ha in area, or the equivalent of about 144 football fields. It comprises Jurong Lake Gardens West (renamed from Jurong Lake Park), Jurong Lake Gardens Central and Jurong Lake Gardens East. Singapore’s two national gardens, the Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, are 74ha and 101ha in size respectively.
