Love the outdoors, and looking for a new place to check out? Whether you are a cycling enthusiast seeking a challenging new route or just a tired city dweller in need of fresh air, there is a new feature to the Southern Ridges that you can look forward to – the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk.
The construction work for the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk started earlier this year and is expected to be finished in 2011.
When completed, it will join the Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch, the two pedestrian bridges along the nine km long Southern Ridges. Together, they have opened a new playground for Singaporeans and visitors alike to get up close and personal to some of nature’s greatest gifts of flora and fauna.
Besides that, they will not only open up stretches of inaccessible coastline to the public, but also link up the attractions in the Southern Ridges and the southern waterfront, forming a comprehensive and seamless recreational corridor.
One Big Playground in the South
The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk is part of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan introduced by URA in 2002. It aims to enhance Singapore’s green spaces and waterbodies on an island-wide basis.
visitors in this part of
Singapore.
Said Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, Chief Executive Officer, URA: "The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, when completed, will allow us to better appreciate some of the very special places on our island that were previously not accessible. Together with the earlier completed links at the Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch at the Southern Ridges, this new project will further realise our plans to create a memorable experience for Singaporeans and visitors in this part of Singapore."
The Parks and Waterbodies plan forms part of URA's efforts to further enhance the attractiveness of Singapore's Southern Ridges, which, together with the Labrador area and Keppel waterfront, will collectively form a major recreational and leisure destination at the southern part of Singapore.
Currently, visitors can take a scenic stroll along the Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch, across Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge Park, explore the Berlayer mangrove creek, and take in the views of the Keppel Bay enroute to Harbourfront.
Mount Faber, a key node within the Southern Ridges, has undergone a revamp to provide better facilities such as restaurants and eateries. Meanwhile, developments along the Keppel waterfront, such as St James Power Station, VivoCity and Harbourfront Centre, now anchor the waterfront as a vibrant and leisure commercial centre.
When visitors are tired from all the walking, they can take a break at the restaurants and bars while enjoying the laidback atmosphere at the Gillman Village, a quiet little corner that is tucked away from Alexandra Road.
Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk
The Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk project comprises three distinctive experiences, namely Alexandra Road Garden Trail, Berlayer Creek Mangrove Trail, and Bukit Chermin Harbour View Walk.
The Alexandra Road Garden Trail will connect to the Southern Ridges trails and the HortPark, with special landscaping for a garden experience.
The 830 metre Alexandra Road Garden Trail will stretch along the eastern bank of Alexandra Road between Depot Road and Telok Blangah Road. Users of this park connector will also find footpaths, cycle paths and special landscaping to enhance their experience, in line with the Garden Trail concept. The Trail is also connected to the Southern Ridges recreational corridor, the HortPark, Gillman Village and the recently opened Alexandra Arch.
The mangrove trail, comprising a continuous footpath with lookout points, will connect the entrance plaza to Labrador Park at the mouth of the creek.
The 960 metre Berlayer Creek Mangrove Trail is particularly striking, compared to other mangrove areas, due to its proximity to the city. The trail offers urbanites a quiet nature retreat and the opportunity to enjoy the natural charm of the mangrove, which is just a short hop away from the bustle of the city. A landscaped entrance plaza, to be located beside the future Labrador MRT Station, will be designed with sheltered seating. It also serves as an information centre for the mangrove area.
The 330m elevated boardwalk on the sea will skirt around the foothill of Bukit Chermin.
The experience of using this recreational trail will culminate at the proposed 330 metre Bukit Chermin Harbour View Walk at the mouth of Berlayer Creek. This elevated boardwalk on sea will skirt around the foothill of Bukit Chermin and connect to the future promenade of the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium eastwards and Labrador Park westwards. Rest points along the boardwalk will allow visitors to soak in the beautiful southern waterfront views of Keppel Harbour and Sentosa.
So, if you have yet to visit the many attractions along Southern Ridges, do make sure you experience the new and exciting offerings for yourself one day!