Improvements to parks in Woodlands: NParks

We thank Mr Yang Eng Huat for sharing his feedback ("Upgrade old parks in Woodlands"; Aug 28).

The National Parks Board (NParks) plans and develops parks with varying features and facilities around Singapore, with a view to meeting the varied needs of different segments in the community.

We agree with Mr Yang that Woodlands Town Park East and Woodlands Town Garden hold special meaning and memories for long-time residents.

A number of improvements have been made to these parks since 2002. For example, in Woodlands Town Garden, upgrades include a new amphitheatre and exercise area. In Woodlands Town Park East, new entrance stairs, trails, a hilltop trellis garden and third-generation exercise equipment were added in the upgrading that was completed last year. Notwithstanding these upgrades, NParks is looking into the redevelopment of these parks within the next three years.

Residents in Woodlands can also enjoy other major parks in the vicinity. For example, Admiralty Park, a 27ha park that comprises an urban park and a nature area that houses habitats with rich biodiversity, was completed in 2008. This park is easily accessible for Woodlands residents and we have plans to further enhance its facilities.

Woodlands residents are also able to enjoy the 11ha Woodlands Waterfront Park, which was completed in recent years. It has a 1.5km-long waterfront promenade, a large multi-generational playground and a 400m former naval jetty that supports a variety of recreational activities and community events.

The Northern Explorer Park Connector Network, which comprises park connectors in Woodlands, Marsiling, Sembawang and Canberra, among others, was completed in 2010 and helps to link the various parks in the north, including those mentioned above, for easy and convenient access to one another.

Yeo Meng Tong

Director,Parks Development

National Parks Board

This article was first published on Sep 5, 2014.
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