8 parks fully connected in western Singapore

A wide range of exciting recreational experiences awaits residents in western Singapore, following the completion of the Western Adventure Park Connector Network (PCN).

The 23km PCN joins eight parks in western Singapore, namely Choa Chu Kang Park, Villa Verde Park, Zhenghua Park, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bukit Batok Town Park, Limbang Park and Bukit Panjang Park.

Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong officially launched the Western Adventure PCN on Sunday as part of Clean and Green Singapore.

Mr Gan, who is also the MP for Chua Chu Kang, walked a 1.8km scenic stretch of Pang Sua Park Connector with 1,000 residents, accompanied by MPs for Hong Kah GRC, Dr Amy Khor and Mr Alvin Yeo.

The Western Adventure PCN caters to users ranging from the adventure-seekers to the nature lovers and families.

For the adventure-seekers, they can go mountain biking at Zhenghua Park and Dairy Farm Nature Park, rock climbing at Dairy Farm Quarry and hiking at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Zhenghua Park.

For the nature lovers, the Western Adventure PCN offers them opportunities to spot butterflies and birds like the singing Zebra Dove, the Tiger Shrike (a winter visitor with tiger-like black bars pattern) and the Oriental White-eye which is characterised by a white ring around the eye. Over 10 species of butterflies and 50 species of birds have been sighted along the PCN.

The Western Adventure PCN is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, a result of the 550 species of trees which have been planted at various stretches along the PCN.

To promote awareness of the rich biodiversity of birds, NParks will work with Nature Society to conduct bird-watching activities at the PCN.

For the shutter bugs, there are scenic lookouts at the Bukit Batok Town Park, which is also known as ‘Little Guilin’, and Bukit Batok Nature Park.

Regional parks, such as Choa Chu Kang Park, offer family-oriented facilities such as playgrounds and fitness corners.

The Western Adventure PCN is the second loop of park connectors to be completed, after the Eastern Coastal PCN in December 2007.

Five more loops of park connectors are in the pipeline. Once completed, the park connectors will form a green matrix, connecting major parks and nature sites and providing users with a choice of landscapes and distances for recreation.

Source: Channel News Asia, 25 Oct 2009