Gardens Up North
Published on
26 Nov 2018
Published by
-
Singapore has an abundance of parks and gardens all across the island full of things to do and unique spots to explore. But if you head up north, you can find four interesting green spaces to check out.
Nature and Play at Admiralty Park
As the largest park in the northern part of Singapore, the 27-ha Admiralty Park is game on for the adventurous. Explore the park’s 2 km nature trail, where you can take in the beautiful sights of different ecosystems – mangrove, secondary forest, riverine and open grassland habitats – spread across 20 hectares.
Learn about the mangrove ecosystem when in Admiralty Park.
Three bridges are strategically placed in the park to enable you to observe a river and the mangrove at a comfortable distance. A boardwalk and viewing platform, sensitively incorporated into the nature area, is the perfect spot to look out for different species of birds in the park, such as the Long-Tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) and Scaly-Breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). More than 100 species of plants and animals are believed to dwell within this nature area.
After immersing yourself in nature, how about having some fun? Admiralty Park is known for having the most number of slides in any park in Singapore – 26 – which includes the widest and longest slides in any park!
Whether you prefer to swing or slide, an afternoon in Admiralty Park is sure to be a fun one for the whole family.
There are three main play areas – Junior Play, Adventure Play and the Family Terracing Play – catering to children of all ages and featuring diverse play equipment that encourage group and multi-generation interactions. The park also features an inclusive playground including a wheelchair-friendly swing, which supports play between children with and without special needs.
If you would like to spend a day exploring nature in the park’s lush greenery, or trying the many exciting slides at the playground, Admiralty Park is the place to go!
Plan your adventure by downloading our DIY guide here: https://bit.ly/2lXRHpH
Picnic in Marsiling Park
Reopened in April 2018 after undergoing two years of enhancement works, Marsiling Park is the ideal spot for picnicking. There is a large field at the end of the lake in the park that provides ample space for everyone to play some frisbee before setting a mat down and tucking into a hearty picnic. Picnic-goers can enjoy the greenery and cooling breeze at the same time.
Pretty pavilions dot the landscape at Marsiling Park, offering a place for visitors to rest and relax in.
After filling your tummy, you can explore the park’s viewing tower, Chinese pavilions and stone bridges, which are ideal photography spots. Nature lovers can also look for the many butterflies fluttering about.
Quaint stone bridges connect different parts of the garden, and are ideal photography spots.
Formerly known as Woodlands Town Garden, the park is the result of close consultation with the community during the design process. With enhanced night lighting, new boardwalks, improved activity spaces such as a playground, a ribbon playscape and a fitness corner, as well as a large airy performance area, you can now enjoy a range of new day and night experiences in the park.
Our tip: Stop by when the evening turns into night. The lighting in the park is specially curated to leverage on the reflections on the water body to create a special illumination effect. There are also light installations directed upwards at the tree canopies and facades of the pavilions, opening up the view towards the sky for a different experience!
Marsiling Park becomes even more ‘magical’ when night falls with a special illumination effect created by reflections on the water body.
Photo credit: Marsiling Park project team
For more information on Marsiling Park: https://bit.ly/2Kn7Os7
Watch the Sunset at Woodlands Waterfront Park
Opened in 2011, Woodlands Waterfront Park is a great place for all sorts of recreational activities for the young and young-at-heart. Along the waterfront there are jogging and cycling tracks for exercise, while the lush greenery along the tracks provide fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Enjoy the clean air and lush greenery at Woodlands Waterfront Park.
Not forgetting, a favourite spot of the park is a 400 m refurbished jetty! There are designated spots to fish at, as well as a halal-certified restaurant, for you to dine at.
Take a walk down the 400 m jetty to admire the changing Johor skyline, or look back at the beautiful greenery on the Singapore shoreline.
Woodlands Waterfront Park is also one of the best spots in Singapore to catch a magnificent view of the sunset. In the evening, you can see the sun set behind the Johor skyline, colouring the skies and reflecting the waters with shades of orange and red, creating the perfect picture-worthy moment. This is definitely not to be missed!
The sunset at Woodlands Waterfront Park is not to be missed.
Photo credit: Lee Layna
Check out Woodlands Waterfront Park here: https://bit.ly/1Jbv2is
Enjoy the Tranquility in Woodlands Town Park East
Situated atop a hill, this seemingly small and quiet park was also known as Hill 180, a location where National Servicemen used to train at in the early 1970s.
Woodlands Town Park East is a green gem not many people know about.
While it may not be as well-known as the surrounding parks, Woodlands Town Park East offers refreshing views of the surroundings from the top of the hill.
Admire the unique views from the park atop a hill.
Despite it being just a 10-min bus ride from Woodlands MRT station, you will realise that the park is still quite hidden amongst the neighbouring blocks of flats. Indeed, once in the park, it takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the town center, and is the perfect place for those who enjoy some peace and quiet, to collect your thoughts and take in its tranquil environment.
Take a stroll around the park and enjoy the greenery and flora around you.
Complete with its unique views, it is definitely worth the short hike up the hill to experience a side of Woodlands you might not have seen before.
These four green spaces offer you different experiences and give you refreshing views you cannot find elsewhere in Singapore. So enjoy your time up north!
Text and photos by Lydia Chan and Tan Yin Qi
About the writers and photographers
Tan Yin Qi is a final year student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, currently taking a Diploma in Mass Communications. She interned with NParks in 2018, as part of her school curriculum. During her six-month stint, she worked on projects to inform and educate the public about our native flora and fauna. At the Singapore Garden Festival 2018, she was part of a team that story-boarded, filmed and edited three videos clips that were posted online to promote the two-week event.
Lydia Chan is a final year Mass Communication student of Republic Polytechnic. As part of her school’s internship programme, she worked in NParks' Communications and Community Engagement department for five months. During this time, she created posts for NParks' social media platforms, wrote articles for My Green Space and was involved in the production of the Facebook Live sessions for the launch of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Ethnobotany Centre and the Singapore Garden Festival Orchid Show 2018.
Please email wong_yeang_cherng@nparks.gov.sg for more information on our internship programme.
Source: National Park Board
ALL views, content, information and/or materials expressed / presented by any third party apart from Council For Third Age, belong strictly to such third party. Any such third party views, content, information and/or materials provided herein are for convenience and/or general information purposes only. Council For Third Age shall not be responsible nor liable for any injury, loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly howsoever in connection with or as a result of any person accessing or acting on any such views, content, information and/or materials. Such third party views, content, information and/or materials do not imply and shall not be construed as a representation, warranty, endorsement and/or verification by Council For Third Age in respect of such views, content, information and/or materials.
