NParks opens new section of Pasir Panjang Park with maritime heritage display; public engagement to begin soon for enhancement of three southern parks into Destination Parks

-Additional 2.2 km stretch features repurposed shipping containers and maritime artefacts donated by PSA Singapore and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

-NParks plans to enhance 13 southern parks and link them up via curated trails for more nature-based recreation opportunities along the Southern Ridges and west coast

-NParks will consult the community to help shape the enhancement of three of the parks – HortPark, Labrador Nature Park and West Coast Park – into Destination Parks

The National Parks Board (NParks) opened a new 2.2 km section of Pasir Panjang Park today, stretching from Pasir Panjang Food Centre to West Coast Park. With the completion of this new section, visitors can enjoy connectivity from Labrador Nature Park to West Coast Park, through Pasir Panjang Park.

As a tribute to Pasir Panjang’s significance as one of Singapore’s major port terminals and in recognition of the maritime trade’s importance to our nation’s economy, the new section features three shipping containers which have been repurposed as shelters, donated in kind by PSA Singapore (PSA). Two of the shelters exhibit maritime artefacts from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, as well as an old cannon that was previously displayed in the old Pasir Panjang Park, and is now part of Singapore’s National Collection, under the care of the National Heritage Board.

Similar to how the first section of Pasir Panjang Park, which opened in 2021, was conceptualised with inputs from stakeholders, the design of the new section incorporates ideas from the community, such as a heritage showcase featuring old photos of the area contributed by the public.

The development of Pasir Panjang Park is supported by PSA, with a contribution of $3.5 million through the Garden City Fund, NParks’ registered charity and IPC. Mr Ong Kim Pong, Regional CEO Southeast Asia, PSA International, said, “PSA is delighted that the revitalisation of Pasir Panjang Park has come to fruition, right alongside the port and our headquarters at PSA Horizons. This transformation brings an exciting maritime touch to the park, with repurposed shipping containers now serving as unique shelters. We will continue to contribute to the development of vibrant, green community spaces as PSA integrates nature with our innovative sustainability efforts and balances our operations with urban liveability.”

Professor Emeritus Leo Tan, Chairman, Garden City Fund, said: "One of the key thrusts in our efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature is the support of the community. We are thus thankful for PSA’s support which enables us to co-create green spaces to benefit its neighbouring community. This year, as we commemorate 60 years of greening, we hope to see more organisations and individuals stepping forward to play an active role in conserving, restoring and extending our natural heritage.”

The community will have more opportunities to be stewards of our City in Nature when NParks kicks off public engagement for its plans to enhance HortPark, Labrador Nature Park and West Coast Park into Destination Parks at Parks Festival on 23 and 24 September. Destination Parks are large regional parks developed thematically to feature unique recreational elements and attract Singaporeans from all over the island. As with the earlier development of Admiralty Park, East Coast Park and Lakeside Garden at Jurong Lake Gardens into Destination Parks, the ideas and feedback garnered on the proposed enhancements for the three planned Destination Parks will help shape their designs.

The three planned Destination Parks are also among 13 parks in Singapore’s southern region that NParks is planning to enhance and connect via curated trails to offer the public greater access to recreational features set amidst nature and expand the variety of nature-based experiences along the Southern Ridges and west coast for visitors of all ages.

To mark the opening of the new section of Pasir Panjang Park, Ms Rachel Ong, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC and Adviser to the Telok Blangah Grassroots Organisations, joined Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, to plant coastal forest trees with staff from PSA, members from the Port Officers’ Union and Singapore Port Workers Union, Friends of Pasir Panjang Park community and residents from West Coast GRC.

Greater accessibility and connectivity to West Coast Park

The new 2.2 km section adds to the earlier 450 m section that spans from Pasir Panjang MRT station to the Jalan Pelepah residential estate.

The public can now enjoy a more pleasant 17 km walking and cycling experience from Labrador Nature Park to West Coast Park through Pasir Panjang Park, all the way to Jurong Lake Gardens and Jurong Central Park.

NParks’ plans to enhance and link up 13 southern parks

NParks plans to enhance a total of 13 parks in Singapore’s southern region, including the three planned Destination Parks, to provide the public with more nature-based recreation and play experiences along the Southern Ridges and west coast as Singapore transforms into a City in Nature.

The 13 parks are:

1.     Alexandra Nature Park**

2.     Berlayer Creek Nature Park**

3.     Clementi Woods Park

4.     HortPark*

5.     Kent Ridge Park

6.     Labrador Nature Park*

7.     Mount Faber Park

8.     Park at Keppel Club** (configuration subject to further study)

9.     Park at King’s Dock**

10.  Pasir Panjang Park

11.  New extension of Pasir Panjang Park

12.  Telok Blangah Hill Park

13.  West Coast Park*

*Planned Destination Parks

**New parks announced in 2022 as part of the Labrador Nature Park Network

Themed trails will also be curated to link up these 13 parks. With the curated trails, the public can look forward to a wider variety of experiences along the Southern Ridges and west coast, ranging from active play to tranquil nature-based interactions, as well as greater access to recreational features set amidst nature.

The rejuvenation of these green spaces will contribute to the ongoing transformation of Singapore’s southern region and complement NParks’ Labrador Nature Park Network, as well as the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s longer-term plans for the Greater Southern Waterfront and Southern Ridges and Coast Identity Corridor.

Public engagement to commence for enhancement of three southern parks into Destination Parks

Over the next few months, starting at Parks Festival at West Coast Park on 23 and 24 September, NParks will be conducting public engagement sessions, such as ideation sessions and focus group discussions, to consult relevant stakeholders on their views on the proposed enhancement works for the three planned Destination Parks – HortPark, Labrador Nature Park and West Coast Park. The public can also contribute their ideas for the three Destination Parks with NParks by expressing their interest in the engagement sessions at www.go.gov.sg/fotpengagement. This will ensure that these parks will continue to cater to the community’s needs and aspirations while fostering community stewardship, a key thrust in our City in Nature vision. 

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