Great New Places

Bringing farming closer to us; The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has launched nine sites at the rooftops of Housing & Development Board (HDB) multi-storey carparks (MSCP) for rental by public tender. The sites shall be used to farm vegetables and other food crops, as well as for other related purposes, such as the packing/storage of produce. Some of you may soon get to enjoy lush views of locally-grown veggies from your HDB flats!

Availing more spaces in land-constrained Singapore for commercial farming, including alternative spaces like HDB MSCP rooftops, is one of the strategies SFA hasbeen undertaking to achieve Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal, which is to produce 30% of our nutritional needs locally by 2030. The move is also in line with HDB’s Green Towns Programme to intensify greening in HDB estates.

“We are heartened by the growing interest from both the industry and the public towards urban farming in community spaces, following the launch of our pilot MSCP rooftop farm, Citiponics, in Ang Mo Kio last year,” said Mr Melvin Chow, Senior Directorof SFA’s Food Supply Resilience Division. “Residents in the area have been able toenjoy fresh produce from the farm at nearby supermarkets, and can witness first-hand the hard work involved in bringing our food from farm-to-fork. We hope that consumers will continue to show their appreciation for our local farms by buying their produce.”

More details on the tender can be found at www.sfa.gov.sg/urban-farming.

Websites: www.sfa.gov.sg and www.hdb.gov.sg

Situated close to the hill forest at Telok Blangah Hill Park, the Therapeutic Garden embraces the tranquillity of its natural setting. The lush greenery all around the garden creates a restorative environment to engage the senses and to uplift both mental and emotional well-being while serving as complementary habitat for native biodiversity.

The new therapeutic garden features several new elements that leverage Telok Blangah Hill Park’s natural forest setting. Some of these elements include fruit tree espaliers, planting of lesser-known forest species with therapeutic effects and a 40m long viewing deck which offers an unobstructed, mid-canopy view of the forest. This therapeutic garden is one of the 30 therapeutic gardens which NParks will establish across Singapore by 2030, as they work towards transforming Singapore into a City in Nature, bringing forth benefits to health and well-being through greenery. Its development and programmes are supported by a contribution of around $500,000 in total from Tote Board and Mr Peter Lim through the Garden City Fund.

Flower Matters has moved to a bigger store at Millenia Walk. Shop beautifully handcrafted bouquets for your special someone with carefully selected exotic fresh flowers from all over the world.

9 Raffles Boulevard, Unit #01-82 Millenia Walk

Tel: +65 6737 7302 Email: matters@singnet.com.sg

A 5.6m high waterfall takes centre stage in the newly-rejuvenated Yunnan Garden at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore that now seamlessly integrates with the Chinese Heritage Centre and an expanded Nanyang Lake. Comprising themed mini gardens and nature trails, the new space is now even more inviting for students, staff and nearby Jurong residents to visit and explore the various scenic spots it has to offer.

Built in the 1950s, the Yunnan Garden was a key attraction of the Nanyang University campus, the land on which NTU Singapore is now situated. With the just-completed revitalisation effort, the Yunnan Garden is seamlessly integrated with the Chinese Heritage Centre and an expanded Nanyang Lake. More than 1,000 new trees comprising over 80 species have been planted in the Garden, enriching its biodiversity. Other enrichments include a new 5.6-metre-tall waterfall, themed mini gardens, a boardwalk, a new stormwater management system, and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the Garden.

The result is a 9-hectare heritage precinct – bigger than 12 soccer fields – that preserves the Garden’s legacy while enriching it as an educational and recreation hub, making it a go-to place not just for the NTU community, but also for the residents who live in the wider Jurong neighbourhood.

NTU Students’ Union President Bryan Michael Chiew Sen, a second-year Public Policy and Global Affairs student from the School of Social Sciences, said: “The new amenities in the Yunnan Garden are a refreshing addition to what we traditionally know as a heritage area with historical significance. With the rejuvenation, the Garden is now an invigorating break away from the classroom, and an attractive spot for students to have social gatherings. The spruced up greenery makes the Garden good for deep conversations and long strolls, which I’m certain will be beneficial for students’ mental well-being.”

Learning about plants and the environment is also part and parcel of a walk in the Yunnan Garden, which is designed around sustainability principles. The plant varietals in the mini gardens have been carefully chosen for their educational values, be it for their use as renewable energy sources or as sustainable alternatives to plastics, or their ability to remove pollutants from the air, soil and water.

The water features in the Garden are designed to create a stormwater management system that purifies rainwater before releasing it into larger ponds and reservoirs through drains and canals.

Integrating these lessons into the Yunnan Garden experience is part of NTU’s commitment to raising awareness about environmental sustainability.

Located off Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Hot Spring Park features new cascading pools and a water collection point, enhanced accessibility for wheelchair users, and educational panels where visitors can learn about Singapore’s only hot spring park’s history and geology. The park's rustic environment, reminiscent of old kampungs, also holds many collective memories for the community.

Visitors can enjoy the new Floral Walk and see fruit trees and edible plants commonly found in kampungs, and flowers commonly seen in the 1960s and 1990s. The rustic environment is further enhanced by unpaved paths and naturalised streams flowing from the hot spring, which mimics the freshwater swamp forest landscape. There are seating areas sheltered by planted trellises featuring flowering creepers such as the Elephant Climber (Argyreia nervosa). The public can also learn more about the history of the site and geothermal processes behind the formation of a hot spring through interpretative signs at locations of interest.

Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Hot Spring Park

Tel: 1800 - 471 7300 Email: nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

If you live in or near Bukit Gombak and love gardening, you can apply for 70 allotment gardening plots at the new Bukit Gombak Park which will be opened in early 2020. Applications will be open for online application from 5 January 2020, 10am to 19 January 2020, 10pm. The park is located at Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, opposite Bukit Batok Driving Centre. Plots will be allocated by computerised balloting.

To foster a love for gardening, NParks introduced the Allotment Gardening Scheme as part of their Community in Bloom (CIB) programme. CIB is a nationwide gardening movement which aims to bring together residents, young and old, in creating community gardens. With Allotment Gardens situated near HDB residential estates, these plots are widely accessible to the community. Today, more than 1,000 allotment gardening plots have been introduced in 11 parks islandwide.

Find out more about application details and the allotment gardening scheme at www.nparks.gov.sg/gardening/allotment-gardens

The National Parks Board (NParks) has opened the 5.4-hectare Cyclist Park, a new recreational space at East Coast Park. Featuring a longer view corridor of the marina vista, Cyclist Park boasts two new cycling circuits targeted at learners and experienced cyclists, a nature playgarden and F&B and retail outlets for families.

Located at Area D of East Coast Park, at the previous site of Goldkist Chalets, Cyclist Park is an active node, complementing the tranquillity of the nearby Raintree Cove that opened earlier this year. A one-stop hub for cyclists, visitors can practise cycling techniques at the two cycling circuits, as well as purchase and repair bicycles. It is also a stop along the Round Island Route (RIR).

The two circuits - the Learner Circuit and Advanced Circuit - are conducive spaces for cyclists to hone their skills. Beginners can attempt the 280-metre long Learner Circuit, where gentle slopes, large expanse of flat areas, and a mini BMX adventure trail help improve balance and stamina. The 500-metre long Advanced Circuit, with its undulating tracks, sharp turns, gradual granite steps and narrow bridge, provides a fun challenge for more experienced cyclists.

Open plazas with multiple entry points have replaced what was once the gated Goldkist Chalets and visitors can now enjoy unobstructed views of the sea. Visitors who seek a more tranquil experience can soak in the coastal ambience while lounging on terrazzo benches under the shelter of ketapang (Terminalia catappa L.) and handkerchief trees (Maniltoa browneoides). There are also two F&Bs, one convenience retail store and a bicycle retail shop that also run bicycle related workshops as well as repair services.

Families with children can enjoy a new nature playgarden at East Coast Park within the Cyclist Park. The playgarden uses natural materials such as upcycled wood to create curated play features for children to engage in spontaneous play amid nature. Young ones can develop a sense of discovery and train their balance at the simple obstacle course, and older children can try their hand at the 1.5-metre tall mini climbing wall installed with grips, that was fashioned from a log.

The opening of Cyclist Park marks the completion of the second of three phases in the rejuvenation of East Coast Park, which aims to create more open spaces and vistas of the sea, improve accessibility and enhance amenities. This follows the successful reopening of Raintree Cove earlier this year. The enhancement will be completed in 2020 with the opening of Big Splash.

Cyclist Park is located at East Coast Park Area D and is accessible via East Coast Park Service Road, via the underpass linking Mandarin Gardens to D3 Carpark and via Siglap Park Connector. The nearest bus stop is 90 metres away and is served by bus number 401.

Pioneers of Singapore’s cafe culture, PS.Cafe opens its eighth outlet, PS.Cafe by the Sea at East Coast Park, making this their first foray out East, away from the hustle and bustle of the city-centre. Inspired by its waterfront location while staying true to the homegrown brand, the menu showcases and celebrates seafood with exclusive dishes, while introducing a special Junior section for the first time.

Starting from humble beginnings in 1999, PS.Cafe began as a cosy cafe hidden within Projectshop clothing store. The charming and understated spot quickly gained a following for its hearty takes on savoury cafe classics, famous truffle shoestring fries and indulgent cakes, puddings and tarts. Since then - over the course of 20 years, PS.Cafe has steadily expanded in Singapore and recently opened up in Shanghai and Seoul this year.

Spanning over 3,000 sq ft, this 120-seater offers a multitude of crowd-pleasers, impeccably suited for friend gatherings, date nights and weekend brunches with loved ones.

The all-day menu at PS.Cafe by the Sea at East Coast Park pays homage to the serene waterfront location with new seafood dishes such as Chargrilled Octopus ($21) - PS.Cafe's spin on a 'char siew' features octopus wok-fried in a homemade sauce served with chilli lime dip, and Lemongrass Mussel & Clam Spaghettini ($29.50) a Thai-inspired pasta topped with portobello mushrooms, black mussels, fresh Venus clams and various aromatics tossed in a sweet and sour sauce.

Additional new creations, exclusive to PS.Cafe by the Sea East Coast Park include:

Poached Ocean Trout Niçoise ($27) a modern twist on a classic French salad with string beans, green olives, capers, spinach and tuna aioli for a refreshing start to the meal.

Chorizo & Calamari Stew ($30) a hearty pot teeming with white beans, fire-roasted peppers, spicy chorizo and tender squid topped with black garlic aioli and a side of crusty bread.

Singapore Chilli Crab & Prawns ($32) a nod to East Coast tradition of chilli crab, PS.Cafe's rendition comprises fried soft shell crab and grilled tiger prawns with wok-crisped mantous, fresh chilli crab dip and jade fried rice.

Signature items that are familiar to fans such as PS. Truffle Shoestring Fries ($16), Tiger Beer-Battered Fish & Chips ($32) and Spicy King Prawn Aglio Olio ($29.50) are also available. An array of hand-stretched pizzas and a multitude of Asian delights will also be on the menu for a stellar communal dining experience.

Adding to the brand's extensive dessert menu, the novel addition of the Banana Surprise Sundae ($16) showcases PS.Cafe's take on the banana split crowned with toasted almonds, chocolate sauce and tangy strawberry compote - a treat to delight any sweet tooth. Also not to be missed are menu stalwarts, Sticky Date ($15) with lashings of decadent toffee sauce and Double Chocolate Blackout Cake ($16) a rich dark chocolate sponge drizzled with dark chocolate sauce.

For the first time, PS.Cafe launches its Junior Menu for children under 12 years old; featuring kid-friendly items such as its iconic Spaghetti Bolognese ($14), Mini Pancake Stack ($12) with maple syrup, bananas and vanilla ice cream, Grilled Ham & Cheese Toasties ($12) with fries, and Cheeseburger and Fries ($13). All items on the Junior Menu come with a complimentary bowl of soft-serve ice cream with chocolate or strawberry sauce.

PS.Cafe by the Sea at East Coast Park's brunch menu with classic-favourites including eggs benedict and pancakes kicks in on weekends at 9.30am until 4 pm. The restaurant also serves breakfast from 9.30am to 11am Monday to Friday, offering staples such as almond chia seed granola and avocado toast.

By 2023, national servicemen will be able to access all their National Service (NS)- and training-related activities in a one-stop centre.

The NS Hub just marked the start of construction in a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen recently.

With the NS Hub, national servicemen will no longer have to report to various camps across Singapore for different NS services.

The new NS Hub will house the Central Manpower Base (CMPB), Military Medicine Institute (MMI) and a new Fitness Conditioning Centre (FCC) to meet all the services that pre-enlistees and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) need.

It will even include an e-Mart for NSmen to stock up on their combat boots and admin t-shirts!

Currently, pre-enlistees attend medical screening at CMPB at Depot Road, and head to MMI in Kent Ridge for other specialist medical services. NSmen take their Individual Physical Proficiency Tests (IPPTs) at various locations such as Maju Camp and Bedok Camp.

Once complete, the NS Hub will be directly accessible via an overhead bridge from Cashew MRT Station along Upper Bukit Timah Road.

Gone are the long queues to "book in", as national servicemen visiting the NS Hub will be able to register themselves at e-Kiosks equipped with facial recognition technology. They will also be able to perform digital transactions through the NS Hub visitor mobile app and receive personalised responses about their appointments. Such technology is expected to reduce the overall waiting time for medical screenings by 30 per cent!

IPPT will be made more convenient for servicemen. Without having to "book in" to camp, servicemen will be able to do automated In-Processing at the NS Hub’s FCC. They can then simply walk up to the gym for their IPPT Preparatory Training or head to the sheltered running track to take their IPPT. Facing the Rail Corridor, the FCC will be the Singapore Armed Forces’ first purpose-built, all-weather facility for IPPT and fitness training.

Not unlike SAFRA Clubhouses, the NS Hub may well become a go-to spot for national servicemen to relax with their family and friends. The hub will feature a wide range of amenities that are open to the public – these include a food court, a childcare center and an outdoor community area with a running track and football field. For those into live entertainment, the NS Hub will also house the Power 98 Love Songs and 88.3JIA radio stations where visitors can catch their favourite radio DJs live on air. There will also be studios for the public to catch performances.

Visitors to the new NS Hub will be glad to know that the building will make use of renewable energy – energy generated from its solar panels can power more than 110 4-room HDB units a year! The building will also adopt energy-saving solutions such as the use of natural ventilation and solar shades for cooling. The NS Hub will make use of rainwater harvesting to collect non-potable water for irrigation and other purposes.

Website: www.mindef.gov.sg

Previously projected as The Mandai Eco-Link, the upccoming Mandai Wildlife Bridge is part of Mandai Park Holdings' (MPH's) rejuvenation project and is the first of their features to be completed.

In December, the Mandai Wildlife Bridge will be ready and will facilitate safe crossings for local wildlife linking two parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. An important component of the new nature and wildlife destination being developed at Mandai, this bridge is part of a larger plan to facilitate habitat connectivity for wildlife within the precinct and its surroundings. Construction of the bridge began in June 2017.

The Mandai rejuvenation project, driven by Mandai Park Holdings (MPH), involves the development of two new wildlife parks - a Rainforest Park and the new Bird Park, a nature-themed indoor attraction, accommodation offerings and public green spaces. These will join the existing Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari to form a new integrated nature and wildlife destination at Mandai.

Website: www.mandai.com

Slated to be a showcase of environmental sustainability when completed in 2021, Pan Pacific Orchard is Pacific Hotels Group’s first zero-waste hotel with four levels of soaring gardens that will redefine vertical sky-rise typology. The hotel is ideally located along Singapore’s famed Orchard Road with its distinctive luxury brands, high street shopping and dining options right at the doorstep, and the central business district just a 10-minute drive away.

Amongst other innovative elements, Pan Pacific Orchard will feature a rainwater harvesting system, a recyclable water system, and a compactor that turns food waste into compost – which will then be channelled into fertiliser for its sky gardens.

Offering 350 eco-friendly rooms, the latest sustainable hotel to debut in Asia comes complete with a gym, swimming pool, bars and restaurants, a club lounge, and a sky terrace ensconced within its gardens and cascading greenery.

The Gallop Extension is an 8-hectare addition to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It is located next to the Learning Forest and can be accessed via Tyersall Avenue.

Framed by landscapes composed of native plants and forests, the Gallop Extension contributes to the Gardens’ rich heritage and its role in research, conservation, education and recreation. As a natural extension of the Gardens’ nature area, which covers the Rain Forest and the Learning Forest, the Gallop Extension enables visitors to learn about forest ecology and the significance of conservation.

The Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge and OCBC Arboretum at the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Gallop Extension are now open!

The Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge is a re-creation of a variety of hill-slope and cliff-edge habitats found in the region, accessed via a barrier-free path. For those looking for an adventure, the ridge-top hiking trail will provide a challenging alternative route to get to the highest point in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The OCBC Arboretum serves as a site for conservation and research of dipterocarps, a family of trees which form the backbone of the region’s tropical rainforests. More than 200 dipterocarp species are represented here.

Royalgreen by Allgreen Properties comprises 285 exquisite freehold homes along Anamalai Avenue, just off Bukit Timah Road.

Royalgreen is easily accessible by both car and public transport. Sixth Avenue MRT Station is within 5 minutes’ walking distance, from there the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Marina Bay Financial Centre, and Newton MRT Interchange are just a train ride away. By car, Orchard Road and the PIE are also readily reachable.

The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have announced that enhancement works for the former Bukit Timah Railway Station and its surroundings as a community node will begin early next year. At a community event at the station, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong also shared that the Friends of Rail Corridor will be leading the community in activating the reopened stretches of the Rail Corridor along its southern half, and announced plans for a new linear park that is partly elevated above the Bukit Timah Canal – the Bukit Timah-Rochor Green Corridor. The new linear park will add to and complement Singapore’s network of recreational connections, which includes the Rail Corridor, Round Island Route and Coast-to-Coast Trail, and altogether, the connections will provide the public with more recreational options, and more opportunities to explore the outdoors and connect with nature in our City in a Garden.

Over the last two years, works to enhance Rail Corridor (Central), the 4 km stretch of the Rail Corridor between the Hillview area and the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station, have been ongoing and guided by three key themes: Heritage and Culture, Biodiversity and Greenery, and Recreation. The works include improvements to trails, restoration works for the truss bridges, construction of a new pedestrian underpass at Hindhede, and habitat enhancements. In early 2020, enhancement of the former railway station and its surroundings as a community node will begin.

The conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station is a distinctive landmark of Rail Corridor (Central) and the community node will feature a strong sense of history, distinctive landscaping and ample public spaces. Works to restore the Railway Station building and the former Railway Station Staff Quarters will be carried out sensitively and in line with conservation guidelines. The buildings will showcase their original railway features, while being repurposed for the public’s use and enjoyment. At the same time, the 8 Mile Platform will be constructed near the Rail Mall to provide amenities such as a shelter and toilet. It will act as a rest stop and an access point to the Rail Corridor.

To provide even more recreational options for visitors, NParks will be developing the Bukit Timah-Rochor Green Corridor. The Bukit Timah-Rochor Green Corridor is envisioned as a journey through a riverine forest and will include a linear sky park elevated above the canal. It will connect to the Rail Corridor near the Bukit Timah Railway Station community node. Visitors, including users of the Coast-to-Coast Trail, can look forward to a unique walking and cycling experience set amidst lush greenery. The first phase of the project comprises 1.4 km and stretches from the Rail Corridor to Elm Avenue. Construction is expected to start in 2021, dovetailing with PUB’s canal improvement works. In the future, the corridor may be extended to Kallang Riverside Park, totalling 11 km.

Website: www.nparks.gov.sg

Located at 39 Ewe Boon Road, Juniper Hill by Allgreen Properties is nestled on higher ground within the exclusive Bukit Timah-Tanglin enclave. Within the freehold development, beautiful landscaped gardens across various levels create an elegant living experience immersed in nature.

Your home at Juniper Hill comes with complimentary concierge services* to ensure that your everyday needs are well taken care of. In addition, enjoy daily delivery of fresh bakes, laundry services, and assistance with hotel room bookings and F&B reservations from Shangri-La Hotel*

Some of Singapore’s most reputable schools are within 1 kilometre of Juniper Hill, including Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road), Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Raffles Girls’ School and St. Joseph’s Institution.

Juniper Hill is within walking distance to Stevens MRT Station, part of the Downtown Line and a future interchange for the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line in 2021. From there, it is a direct and easy connection to the Central Business District and Marina Bay Sands.

Green up your living or working space with a low-maintenance terrarium that you can easily put together at The Green Capsule.

Located at Funan, The Green Capsule is founded in 2014 by two green enthusiasts. Together, they want to bring their love for greening to new heights. They aim to be one of the first garden shops to provide customizable and sustainable gifts.

109 North Bridge Road, Unit #04-11 Funan

Tel: +65 6908 4087 Email: hello@thegreencapsule.com.sg

The Source Bulk Foods at Cluny Court is the first Singapore branch of Australia’s largest bulk foods and zero-waste retailer. They carry a wide range of pantry staples, numbering over 350 products that include premium whole foods and treats, and packaging-free household products. The opening marks a step towards cultivating healthy lifestyles and building a healthier planet, right here on the little red dot!

Founded in 2012 in Byron Bay, Sydney, Australia, The Source Bulk Foods has established itself as a pioneer of sustainable living, promoting an ethos of zero packaging, as well as encouraging customers to buy and use only what is needed. The brand also prides itself in offering good old-fashioned service – shopping at The Source Bulk Foods is akin to dropping by a friendly neighbourhood grocer, where customers are received with a warm and genuine welcome.

Celebrating the opening, Rob Behennah, Master Franchisor of The Source Bulk Foods, Southeast Asia, shares, “We are incredibly excited to open Singapore’s very first The SourceBulk Foods store! We are as much about providing nutritious products as we are about embracing a zero waste goal, and creating a healthy community. Our passionate team looks forward to delivering wholesome food, nourishing families, and in doing so, take a hands-onapproach to nurturing our planet.”

The Source Bulk Foods encourages customers to bring along refillable bags, containers, or jars, as well as purchase as much or as little as needed. Franchise Partner, Sarah Widjaja, who is also a full-time Nutritionist, explains, “The Source Bulk Foods is revolutionising the way we shop. At every step of the way, suppliers, retailers, and customers can reduce their use of unnecessary packaging and single-use plastics. By buying only what is needed, we can alsominimise food waste.”

Shopping at The Source Bulk Foods is simple and fun, involving just three easy steps: grab a bag (or refill a jar), write the product code, and fill the bag with the desired amount of the chosen product. Customers then proceed to the cashier, where their groceries will be weighed, and payment can be made.

Visitors may browse the store’s affordable range of products, which have been carefully sourced and selected for quality, and which caters to vegan, paleo, organic, and gluten-free diets.

Stocked with plenty of ingredients for the kitchen, The Source Bulk Foods is every homecook’s dream! Pick from beans, grains, seeds, and flours, to herbs and spices, nuts; whether raw, insecticide-free, roasted, salted, or smoked, as well as a variety of cooking oils and condiments.

501 Bukit Timah Road, Unit #01-05A Cluny Court

Tel: +65 6974 0943 Email: clunycourt@thesourcebulkfoods.com.sg

The newly-opened Singapore Botanic Gardens Seed Bank is an important step in safeguarding plant biodiversity in Southeast Asia through conservation, research and education. Collecting seeds for storage helps to build a valuable resource for habitat restoration and species conservation. But different seeds need to be stored in specific conditions, hence the Seed Bank will advance extensive research in this area. Go learn about seeds and the science of seed storage at a new interpretive gallery and outdoor garden!

Website: www.sbg.org.sg

Scoop Wholefoods at Tanglin Mall offer a wide variety of raw organic and natural wholefoods for their customers at affordable prices combined with flexible, quantity and selection. From nuts, dried fruits, spices, rice, pasta, tea and chocolates to freshly made nut butters and so much more.

Specialising in bulk bins, Scoop Wholefoods is committed to reducing peoples dependence on single use plastic. You won't find a plastic bag in their store.

Scoop Wholefoods source their products primarily from certified Australian and New Zealand growers and suppliers. They make every effort to ensure that other products come from ethical and sustainable sources.

In order to keep carbon footprint as light as possible, they make minimum use of packaging and chemicals in their activities as part of their contribution to the local community and the long term well-being of our planet for this and future generations.

163 Tanglin Road, Unit #02-17/18 Tanglin Mall

Tel: +65 6235 2739 Email: info@scoopwholefoods.com.sg

Wildseed Café at The Alkaff Mansion is an offshoot of the original that opened at The Summerhouse in 2017. This second Wildseed is a floral café offering all-day dining of pastries and cakes created by the accomplished 1-Group Executive Pastry Chef Jasmin Chew, with brunch on weekends.

Alfresco seats in the courtyard, amidst tall leafy trees, some as old as the mansion, imbues the café with outdoorsy vibes.

Wildseed is a social hub: a charming, instagrammably picturesque nexus where friends meet friends, families spend weekend outings, and strollers unwind on an exploration of the hill park.

There’s artisanal coffee by Avanti and a fine selection of teas; even a play area for kids. The café will organise regular family- and pet-friendly activities and events as well as kids’ workshops – it’s the perfect place to luxuriate in nature, and watch the day slowly unfold in the soft dappled sunlight under the shade of grand old trees.

10 Telok Blangah Green, The Alkaff Mansion

Tel: (+65) 6773 0070 Email: wildseed@thealkaffmansion.sg

UNA finds a new home on the second level of the newly-relaunched Alkaff Mansion. A rich patina of romance washes over the restaurant, from the lovingly restored ebony-hued timbers of the pitched ceiling and floors; to the gorgeous, contemporary lighting feature showering down like silver and crystal rain; to the extraordinary view like a tropical mirror of the rolling green hills of the Basque country.

The floor plan centres on a spacious dining hall, with 2 private rooms easily created through sliding glass panels if privacy calls. Adjacent to the main hall is the UNA bar and dining porch, where an aperitivo can be sipped while taking in the view before or after dinner.

UNA is a homage to the art of gastronomy and living well. Its Spanish roots are wedded to the dynamic individualism of Basque cuisine, resulting in a menu of Basque-inspired dishes and popular favourites from the former establishment crafted using the best produce sourced locally as well as from the Basque and Spanish regions.

Among the signatures are Fideua De Calamares (squid ink Spanish noodles paella with crispy calamari), Pulpo A La Parrilla Con Papas Arrugadas Y Mojo (tender octopus grilled over a charcoal fired parrilla grill accompanied with baby potatoes and a coriander and paprika sauce).

There is also the rich and comforting Paella De Chorizo Y Habitas (classic family-style paella slow cooked with savoury chorizo, fava beans and aromatic saffron), Paella de Mariscon (classic seafood paella with bomba rice, prawns, clams and mussels, enriched with generous touches of saffron) and the evergreen Cochinillo Asado (Spanish crispy roasted suckling pig).

The desserts present decadent Spanish sweets such as Chocolate & Olives, Arroz con Leche de la Abuela (a fragrant Spanish rice pudding served with sherry grapes and a sherry reduction) and Classic Churros, served with spicy pecan chocolate sauce.

At UNA Bar & Lounge, a selection of tea infusion cocktails complements the food.

Living life with gusto, UNA takes diners into the romantic heart of the Basque.

10 Telok Blangah Green, Level 2 The Alkaff Mansion

Tel: (+65) 6773 0070 Email: hola@una.sg

Fort Canning Park is an iconic hilltop landmark has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones. The hill once sited the palaces of 14th century Kings and served as the Headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 was also made on the hill, in the Underground Far East Command Centre, commonly known as Battle Box.

Today, Fort Canning Park features nine historical gardens - the Pancur Larangan, Artisan’s Garden, Sang Nila Utama Garden, Jubilee Park (Phase 1), Raffles Garden, First Botanic Garden, Farquhar Garden, Spice Garden and Armenian Street Park.

Accompanying these gardens are wayfinding and trail guides which will allow visitors to plan their own trail and explore the hill at their own pace. Visitors can also download the augmented reality trail, BALIKSG: The Fort Canning Trail. The app will bring park visitors on an interactive journey through Fort Canning Park, revisiting the hill back when it was known as Bukit Larangan or Government Hill. The total length of the trail is about 2.5km, with eight checkpoints placed throughout the park including the various gardens. Visitors can look out for the AR marker in the park and start the app at any point.

To get to Fort Canning Park, visitors can make use of the covered escalators from Fort Canning MRT station and Bras Basah MRT station to the top of Fort Canning Park.

Fort Canning Park is a venue for celebrations. Its expansive, sprawling lawns play host to concerts, theatre productions and festivals such as Shakespeare in the Park, Ballet Under the Stars, Shakespeare in the Park and Films at the Fort, while weddings, parties and gatherings are a regular sight in the park's venue spaces. Its ancient artefacts are a must-see for history buffs, and its lush greenery and expansive lawns offer a variety of arts, heritage and nature experiences. Whether you are drawn by the park’s ancient artefacts and rich heritage or simply its tranquility, this hilltop park offers something for the whole family.

View here for the map of Fort Canning Park. Click here to read more about the enhanced Fort Canning Park.

Nothing manifests Basque vibrance like pintxo culture with its air of hedonistic, after-hours revelry. Located on the ground level of newly-relaunched Alkaff Mansion, TXA Pintxo Bar is the first and only bar in Singapore singularly dedicated to this experience. The letter combination ‘Txa’ is unique to the Basque language, forming the sound ‘cha’ which incidentally occurs in Hokkien to mean ‘noisy’, and in Cuban inspiring the dance cha-cha.

Pintxos (pronounced pin-chos) are small snacks served in bars to accompany drinks; and the bar-hopping culture this engenders is also referred to as pintxos. To eat at TXA is to be immersed in the uninhibited buzz of a pintxo bar in the Basque country. It is loud, fun and authentic.

The pintxos are made under the joint expertise of The Alkaff Mansion’s culinary team which include Basque chefs Marta Elvira Segalés and Silvana Pascual Romero, and served ‘al momento’ (of the the moment), in line with current trends sweeping Basque pintxo bars at the moment. Much produce issourced from Basque regions and is exclusive to TXA.

Drinks include Spanish beers, wines and ciders. At the bar is a selection of signature cocktails based on wine, designed to complement the flavours of the pintxos, such as the Tinto de Pintxos created with red wine, pisco, and sweet vermouth as well as The Mansion created with brandy, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, and angostura bitters.

The lure of the pintxo culture really gets under one’s skin at TXA; and a stream of Basque-related activities aims to get people even closer.

Free-wheeling TXA is the vibrant soul of the Basques.

10 Telok Blangah Green, The Alkaff Mansion

Tel: (+65) 6773 0070 Email: eat@txapintxobar.sg

A culture needs a home and a proper theatre. The house on the hill, with its beauty and mantle of history, was ideal. The Alkaff Mansion is today a multi-concept Food & Beverage destination housing the Basque-centred TXA Pintxo Bar and UNA, while also housing all-day floral café Wildseed Café – each distinct and embodying a different character.

Restored and relaunched, Alkaff Mansion has become the centre of Basque culture and lifestyle. The greenery and hills, the visible coastline, echo the Basque homeland; the history and architecture, the centrality of food and social life, further the parallels.

The Alkaff Mansion celebrates, indeed flaunts, all things Basque: capturing its verve and heart; showcasing its produce, cuisine and wine. It does this in truest authenticity through a profound partnership with Basqvium, keeper, curator and tireless advocate of Basque cuisine and culture both in and outside Spain. Hand-in-hand with Basqvium through the shared platform of Basque Culinary Institute, 1-Group unites key facets of the essential Basque to create The Alkaff Mansion.

The deep synergy reflects into the experience in multiple ways, seen and unseen: through the rare Basque wine and spirits served in-house, the exclusive Basque produce and authentic Basque flavours, all the way to the Basque members within the team. The cuisine especially benefits from the inclusion of Basque chefs, Marta Elvira Segalés and Silvana Pascual Romero, into 1-Group’s own Spanish Cuisine Development Team which also comprises 1-Group’s talents such as Head Chef Tom Kung of UNA. Day to day, these key members of this development team also take personal care of kitchen operations at The Alkaff Mansion, so that research and theory becomes real; materialising in plate after plate of Basque cuisine on the plate of The Alkaff Mansion diners.

Seated on its hilltop, the Alkaff Mansion has witnessed the passage of time for a hundred years. This 2-storey Tudor-style building was built in 1918 by a member of the prominent Arab family, the Alkaffs.

In 2005, the Alkaff Mansion was accorded conservation building status by the URA, ensuring its key architectural features would be preserved for posterity. Following a number of years when it was left vacant, the mansion was again restored in 2011 to become an Italian restaurant until 2016. The second makeover cost another S$5 million.

10 Telok Blangah Green, The Alkaff Mansion

Tel: (+65) 6773 0070 Email: enquiry@thealkaffmansion.sg

In year 2022, residents of Bidadari estate will be able to enjoy a new regional park. This announcement was made by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Bidadari Park is a multi-agency collaboration between HDB, national water agency PUB and the National Heritage Board (NHB).

The 10-hectare Bidadari Park will feature a lake, a 700 metre heritage walk, a 6-km experiential trails and a play area for children.

Apart from retaining of more than 350 mature trees in the area, the park will also be welcoming more than 2,000 new trees.

“At strategic locations, observation decks, viewing sheds, and pavilions will serve as tranquil rest spots for visitors, offering different views of nature in a rustic and naturalised setting,” said HDB.

Website: www.hdb.gov.sg

Lakeside Garden is the 53-hectare western section of the Jurong Lake Gardens. Visitors can now enjoy the first phase of Singapore’s third national gardens and the first national gardens in the heartlands.

Jurong Lake Gardens is a people’s garden and the design of the garden took into consideration the feedback that was received after extensive consultations with the community. In developing Jurong Lake Gardens, NParks also worked with their partner agencies, Sport Singapore (SportSG) and People’s Association (PA), to enrich the diversity of recreational experiences and programming for visitors.

In addition, Lakeside Garden was developed with a strong emphasis on nature, community and play, based on feedback received during our public engagement sessions. Jurong Lake Gardens is a green recreational node that leverages on its distinctive lakeside setting. It contributes to the larger plans for the Jurong Lake District in promoting sustainability and a healthy living environment by providing more spaces for recreation amidst lush greenery, restored wetlands and habitats for biodiversity and with vibrant programming for the community. With its opening, Lakeside Garden provides the community with a space to gather and bond, and create shared memories.

The 90-hectare Jurong Lake Gardens comprises three segments:

Lakeside Garden (Jurong Lake Gardens West/ former Jurong Lake Park)
Chinese and Japanese Gardens (Jurong Lake Gardens Central)
Garden Promenade (Jurong Lake Gardens East)

Lakeside Garden is centred around the themes of nature, play and the community. The garden has been developed sensitively to retain the serenity of the area whilst incorporating spaces for the community and recreational needs. Capitalising on its waterfront location, Lakeside Garden has spaces for all to enjoy amid nature, greenery and lakeside views. Visitors will have many opportunities to get close to nature in Lakeside Garden.

Children aged between five to 12-years-old will enjoy Forest Ramble, which is the largest nature playgarden in the heartlands. The 2.3-hectare play area comprises 13 different adventure stations for children to explore, and emulate the movement of animals which inhabit a freshwater swamp forest. Read more about the facilities at the newly-opened Lakeside Garden here.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has commenced works on the new Bukit Gombak Park. Located at Bukit Batok Batok West Avenue 5, opposite Bukit Batok Driving Centre, the 4.8 ha park will feature a hill trek, a nature playgarden and other recreational facilities amidst nature and lush greenery to serve the different needs of residents. The park is scheduled to be opened in early 2020.

In planning for the new park, NParks engaged residents to gather feedback on features they would like to have in the park. In response to the feedback received, the new park will feature a Nature Area and an Active Area to meet the diverse recreational needs of the community.

Located on a hill, the Nature Area will allow park goers to appreciate nature up close. The main feature of this area is an inclined looped 400m hill trek modelled after the trails in Bukit Timah. Besides alleviating visitorship pressure on the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the hill trek will help residents to stay healthy in nature.

NParks, together with the community, will be planting more than 2000 trees comprising some 16 species of trees, such as the critically endangered Yellow Flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum), and others like Belinjau (Gnetum gnemon) and Pink Mempat (Cratoxylum formosum) trees.

The Active Area will feature an open lawn for events, an outdoor fitness area, a community garden, a F&B outlet and public toilets. The existing basketball court next to Block 394 will also be incorporated as part of the park.

Other features at the Bukit Gombak Park will include a biophilic playgarden which will encourage children to play amid nature. A slide will be integrated into the natural sloped terrain and there will be nature-inspired play equipment, such as balancing beams set amongst trees and shrubs.

The park will also include a 480 sqm dog run, the first in the Bukit Gombak area. It will be sited on a flat terrain for dogs to run without leash, with benches for dog owners to rest.

Website: www.nparks.gov.sg

Do you enjoy taking nice long walks in lush greenery, or exploring the outdoor spaces around you? Go on an adventure from coast to coast with the launch of the new Coast-to-Coast Trail!

The Coast-to-Coast Trail is a 36 km trail that spans across Singapore. Stretching from Jurong Lake Gardens in the west to Coney Island Park in the northeast, it will take users through a variety of parks, park connectors, nature areas, places of interest and urban spaces. Some of these include Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in central Singapore, and Sengkang Riverside Park, in the northeast of our island.

You can choose to explore the trail on your own, using a DIY trail guide or mobile app. Or for a more immersive experience, you can also look forward to participating in activities and programmes that will be organised along the trail. These include experiential and interactive features such as interesting way-finding signs, fun game stations and viewing areas to spot wildlife.

Website: www.nparks.gov.sg

Raintree Cove at East Coast Park has re-opened and it offers scenic views of the sea, plus plenty of areas to rest, lounge, or just hang out with friends and family. Perfect for those who prefer a quieter and more tranquil experience at the park! It is also home to the only pavilion with a green roof in East Coast Park.

Head down to Raintree Cove at Area C for a visit this March!

Raintree Cove is located at East Coast Park Area C and is accessible via East Coast Park Service Road. It is accessible from the underpass linking Marine Terrace to C3 Carpark and via Siglap Park Connector.

The Nature Playgarden at HortPark is a biophilic playgarden set within nature and designed with natural materials – perfect for young explorers! Surrounded by greenery and sounds of nature, the Nature Playgarden at HortPark is designed with pre-schoolers in mind to encourage children to spend more time outdoors and reconnect with nature. Let children’s imagination run wild as they explore the nine different play features!

Catered to children between 3 and 6 years old, they can explore a balancing and crossing valley made from logs, hide in a bamboo dome while peeking out to overlook the valley, and work together to build houses and castles using timber cookies, wooden poles, and other natural materials. There are 9 different play features specially designed for children to engage with nature in a fun, free and unconstrained way.

Read more about the various features of the Nature Playground here and plan a trip to check it out soon.

33 Hyderabad Road, HortPark

Website: www.Nparks.gov.sg

Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) and Shiseido have announced the naming rights partnership of the Shiseido Forest Valley; a wondrous 4-storey indoor ‘forest’ which will allow visitors to experience the Japanese appreciation of nature, beauty and art.

Jewel (scheduled to open on 17 April 2019) will have one of the largest indoor collection of plants in Singapore, with about 22,000sqm of space dedicated to landscaping throughout the complex. The Shiseido Forest Valley will complement Jewel’s wide array of retail and F&B activities, allowing visitors to shop and dine amidst a resplendent indoor forest. Visitors can even take a gentle hike up two cobblestoned walking trails, the East and West Trail, punctuated by idyllic cascading waterfalls and mist clouds.

Made up of more than 900 trees and palms and about 60,000 shrubs, the curation of the indoor forest took concerted effort. Before the installation of the Shiseido Forest Valley, trials were first done in a polytunnel (or hoop greenhouse) to simulate the actual in-Jewel temperature, humidity and light levels. Applying these optimal growth conditions eventually resulted in the dynamic forest experience and selection of plants that visitors will see in Jewel.

The 4-storey incline of the Shiseido Forest Valley also influenced the types of flora selected. For example, the shrubs chosen are shade-tolerant and have adapted to space constraints, just as understorey plants have in real forests. Whether dining at spots overlooking the Shiseido Forest Valley or strolling through the trails, visitors to Jewel can expect an awe-inspiring experience when they walk through this climate-controlled space.

The National Parks Board (NParks) recently unveiled the Forest Restoration Action Plan for the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Nature Park Network. The Action Plan will chart the restoration that will be undertaken over the next 10 years to regenerate the secondary forests in the Nature Parks buffering the two Nature Reserves, as well as disturbed patches within the Reserves. This will assist the forests to regenerate and approximate a mature forest landscape in time.

The Action Plan seeks to strengthen the resilience of our native rainforests by restoring ecological processes, and enhancing the biodiversity and ecological connectivity in these areas. This will improve the habitats for native biodiversity. It is also timely to assist with the succession of the early secondary rainforests to more mature and diverse rainforests over time. This will strengthen the resilience of our forest landscapes to climate change, and will be achieved through a science-based approach that will involve the sustained planting of native rainforest species.

The approach will comprise the planting of a framework of native species that are nitrogen fixing to naturally improve the soil condition, and those that will attract dispersers and pollinators. The regenerating forest will be assisted further by the removal of invasive weed species. Dominant primary rainforest species, which might be limited by dispersal or are rare in occurrence, will also be introduced. In restoring these forests, efforts will also be directed towards the regeneration of riparian vegetation alongside natural streams to further conserve this sensitive habitat.

The Forest Restoration Action Plan is integral to NParks’ habitat enhancement and restoration programme under its Nature Conservation Masterplan (NCMP). Launched in 2015, the NCMP charts Singapore’s plans for biodiversity conservation.

The Action Plan was announced during a recent tree-planting session to mark the commencement of restoration efforts at the upcoming Rifle Range Nature Park, which will be completed in 2020. It is one of the areas to be restored under the Action Plan.

Oasis Terraces in Punggol is Singapore's first new-generation neighbourhood centre.

The seven-storey Oasis Terraces is located along Punggol Drive and adjacent to Oasis LRT station. It houses a neighbourhood centre, a polyclinic, and a sheltered community plaza. It is envisioned to be a place that provides fun shopping, promotes healthy living and fosters community bonding.

Oasis Terraces overlooks the waterfront and boasts a community plaza with a state-of-the-art LED display for screening and advertising opportunities. At Oasis Terraces, residents and visitors can satisfy their retail and lifestyle needs, all under one roof.

681 Punggol Drive

Tel: +65 6229-3261 Email: oasis.terraces@cpgfm.com.sg

At a recent launch event for the 160th Anniversary celebrations of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the National Parks Board (NParks) unveiled their plans for the 8 ha extension to the Gardens along Gallop Road. Comprising an arboretum which will hold 200 to 300 species of dipterocarp forest species, Singapore’s first permanent collection of botanical art on display, a restored ridge-top habitat and a biophilic play area, the Gallop extension brings the total area of the Gardens to 82 hectares – the largest in its 160-year history. For the first time in Singapore, visitors of all ages and abilities will be able to explore and appreciate native forest ecology in one location, furthering the Gardens’ mission of connecting people with plants.

As Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has a rich history of research, conservation, education and recreation.

With its rolling terrain of open lawns framed by landscapes of native plants and forests, and featuring two conservation buildings, the Gallop extension will continue the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ heritage roles in research, conservation, education and recreation. As a natural extension of the Gardens’ Nature Area which covers 6 ha of primary rainforest and the Learning Forest, the Gallop extension will enable visitors to learn about forest ecology and the importance of conservation in a single location when it opens in late 2019. The extension will also buffer against urban development surrounding the native flora and fauna within the Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about the various new features of this green project here.

Fourth Avenue Residences by Allgreen Properties Limited is a collection of 476 exclusive homes nestled amidst lush greenery and bungalow areas in the prime district 10 of Singapore. It is served by Sixth Avenue MRT Station at its doorstep and surrounded by prestigious schools.

From Fourth Avenue Residences, you are connected to the rest of the island via major expressways. Sixth Avenue MRT Station is right at the doorstep of Fourth Avenue Residences. Residents will enjoy a direct covered linkway to the station.

Fourth Avenue Residences is the perfect canvas to express your personal taste and lifestyle. Ranging from 1 to 4-bedroom, every unit has a practical layout that is flexible enough to accommodate your changing needs.

UnPackt is the first zero-waste specialty grocer and wholesaler in Singapore to offer packaging-free shopping. Following the debut of their well-received flagship store, they recently established their second store in the heart of the central business district at Downtown Gallery.

You can pick up quality groceries and daily lifestyle products in your own containers. UnPackt helps you to minimize food waste and excessive plastic packaging, while saving you money on your grocery bill.

Unpackt is also a social enterprise which aims to employ single parents and elderly, with an aim to cultivate a conscious community within the neighbourhood.

6A Shenton Way, Unit #03-05 OUE Downtown Gallery

Tel: +65 8774 2050 Email: info@unpackt.com.sg

Gardens by the Bay's new outdoor garden attraction, Serene Garden, is a unique horticultural garden inspired by the minimalist concept of Japanese zen gardens. A tranquil 2-hectare space located just a stone’s throw from The Meadow, visitors can get a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the city life as they enjoy an intimate encounter with nature.

Serene Garden, a calm and peaceful green space is just a short stroll away from the popular Supertree Grove. Taking 3 years to conceptualise and build, the outdoor themed garden offers scenic views of the city's beautiful skyline as its backdrop while bringing visitors closer to nature — truly a uniquely Singaporean experience.

Serene Garden is open daily from 5.00am to 2.00am to the public and admission is free. Read more about Serene Garden here.

18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay

Tel: +65 6420 6848 Email: feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sg

As part of enhancement plans announced earlier this year to restore the rich history of Fort Canning Park, the National Parks Board (NParks) will be refreshing the Archaeological Dig exhibition for the first time in 17 years. First completed in 2001, the 17-year-old site houses an archaeological dig site, artefacts found around Fort Canning Park and educational panels on the history of the artefacts. NParks will be improving the exhibition area to allow for more hands-on interactive spaces. Interpretation panels on the various soil layers and embedded artefacts will also be updated and improved.

The historically significant site will include a new outdoor garden and the area will be renamed Artisan’s Garden as it is believed to be the site of a 14th century palace workshop. The existing shelter of the exhibition will be expanded to include a wider gallery space, new interpretative panels and display showcases. There will be three zones within the new site. The first zone will have an introduction to the site as well as an open space for workshops. There will also be a sand pit where organised groups can experience simulated hands-on archaeological excavation activities. The second zone will have multimedia educational panels on the artefacts including recent discoveries, giving a glimpse of past life on the hill. Artefacts from the 14th to 19th centuries will also be on display. The third zone will feature interactive educational play features for visitors of all ages to learn about archaeology and the history of the site. As part of educational opportunities for visitors to learn more about archaeology and the history of Fort Canning Park, NParks will also be developing a range of archaeology-related programmes and activities.

The site will be closed from November 2018 and reopened in June 2019.

Reprovisions is a new zero-waste bulk store which is now open in Jurong Point. You can even get freshly grounded nut butter (without any additional oil, salt or sugar) on the spot!

Reprovisions is a bulk food store where you can purchase various unpackaged items through the weigh-and-pay concept.

They serve your needs and cravings as they stock healthful foods such as superfoods, nuts and dried fruits, as well as eclectic indulgences such as long licorice candies and handmade chocolates. They also cater to homemakers and cooking enthusiasts with their range of spice blends, Asian mixes and staples.

At Reprovisions, they aim to provide you with items from the best sources, so you can refill and relish with them!

Jurong West Central 2, Unit #03-32/33 Jurong Point 1

Tel: +65 8768 2023 Email: management@reprovisions.com

A green corridor adjacent to the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal (between Holland Green and Holland Plain) is now open.

Reaching almost 1km in length, this green corridor features rain gardens, vegetated swales, and wetland systems. The diverse native plants and forest tree species provide a conducive environment for flora and fauna including the Grey Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Malayan Water Monitor and many dragonflies.

The green corridor runs along Holland Plain and you can get there via Holland Road or Holland Link.

Website: www.nparks.gov.sg

Photo Credit: Alex Tam and NParks.

Jelutung Harbour Park has officially reopened after a major facelift and it is now a recreational hotspot for the Sembawang GRC residents.

The new water play area and an iconic adventure / interactive playground, along with an inclusive play area for children of all ages, especially for children with physically challenged and special needs are the major highlights of the revamped park.

The new water-feature playground in Jelutung Harbour Park operates from 9.30am - 9.30pm daily and it is something not to be missed!

A new Entrance Plaza with an improved amphitheatre also allow for more group gatherings or community events in the future.

Residents can also enjoy the enhanced basketball court and BBQ pits in the park. All these features make Jelutung Harbour Park a great destination for the whole family!

Nestled in the green leafy suburb of Greenwood, Mo & Jo Sourdough Burgers is an intimate 30-seater restaurant with outdoor seating and it is also child & dog friendly. Take the opportunity to sit at the bar to watch their chefs create your favourite burger in the open kitchen.

Mo & Jo Sourdough Burgers serves up honest burgers, where simplicity is key, where burgers are made from real bread and filled with wholesome good quality ingredients.

8 Greenwood Avenue

Tel: +65 6463 4626 Email: hello@moandjoburgers.com

Eunoia Junior College will move into its permanent Bishan site at the end of 2019, ready for the commencement of the school term in 2020. The Bishan campus is situated at the junction of Sin Ming Avenue and Marymount Road, overlooking Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and both Bishan and Ang Mo Kio estates.

Eunoia Junior College will be the first high-rise junior college in Singapore, with two academic blocks 10 and 12 storeys high respectively. A library with splendid panoramic view towards Bishan Park sits at the top two floors of the 10-storey block, allowing all to be inspired by the green serenity of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. A 900-seater theatre will be equipped for performances, seminars and cohort-based lectures, on top of a range of seminar rooms, learning rooms, science laboratories and other special programme rooms.

The college will also be the first school in Singapore with an elevated track and field stadium as part of its infrastructure. A full 8-lane track, field, space for sports and games, and a viewing gallery will be located at the top of the structure adjacent to Marymount Road. The field shelters various student interaction areas from the sun and rain, including music rooms, CCA rooms, a dance studio, a multi-purpose hall, a 900 pax auditorium and various arcades for mass activities.

Website: www.eunoiajc.moe.edu.sg

Tel: +65 6351 8388 Email: eunoiajc@moe.edu.sg

The 900 sq m Therapeutic Garden at Choa Chu Kang Park launched recently and is situated next to the Community-In-Bloom Garden and Allotment Garden, which improves the social connection to gardening communities in the area.

It is specially designed with features that bring about restorative effects to our mental well-being and relieve stress. The garden includes edible and fragrant plants, a calming water feature and is wheelchair-friendly.

Threpeautic Garden at Choa Chu Kang Park is the first of its kind in the western part of Singapore. There are three other such gardens at HortPark, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Tiong Bahru Park. Two more will be opened by the first quarter of 2019, bringing the total to six around the island.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has opened the approximately 1 hectare Ethnobotany Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This new themed garden is the first in Singapore where visitors can learn about plants used by indigenous cultures of Southeast Asia; and it features a centre for ethnobotany which complements the outdoor landscape with an interpretive exhibition of artefacts and interactive elements.

The Ethnobotany Garden is in the Gardens’ Bukit Timah Core and located at an area historically known as the Economic Garden. This section of the Gardens was previously a space for experimentation with plants that had potential commercial applications, many of which were first derived from traditional uses.

Development of the Ethnobotany Garden is aligned with the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage status, supporting its Outstanding Universal Value by showcasing its unrivalled collections of economic, medicinal and ethnobotanical plants – the largest such collection in Southeast Asia. This new garden enhances the Gardens’ role as an educational provider, which is in line with UNESCO’s mission.

1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Tel: 1800-471 7300 (Toll-free) Email: nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

From the first half of 2020, residents of Sembawang will have a uniquely designed Bukit Canberra – an integrated sport and community hub, that will inspire them to live better.

To be opened in phases, the 12-hectare hub will provide amenities such as a hawker centre, indoor and outdoor sport facilities, a polyclinic, a senior care centre, green spaces for community farming and lifestyle related amenities for the community within a lush and naturalistic environment.

Bukit Canberra will have facilities by Sport Singapore (SportSG), Ministry of Health (MOH), National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP), National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Parks Board (NParks). With inputs from National Heritage Board (NHB), Bukit Canberra will also highlight the heritage of the area. Read more about the unique features and highlights of the project here.

The revamped Sustainable Singapore Gallery at Marina Barrage presents an overview of Singapore’s commitment to sustainable development. While there are exhibits that chart the milestones which brought about the high quality living environment Singaporeans enjoy today, the focus in many parts of the Gallery is on the challenges ahead and the steps people in Singapore need to take together as a nation to keep the country smart and green.

The Gallery is organised into six zones, tracing Singapore’s response to climate change, our water management strategies, zero waste initiatives and efforts to keep Singapore clean, green and sustainable, including investments in renewable energy.

The interactive panels and multi-sensory exhibits will appeal to the young and old. There are also interesting artefacts such as a porcelain figurine presented to Dutch economist Dr Albert Winsemius in 1993 after he famously lost a wager, with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his team, that the Singapore River could not sustain life.

Admission is free to the 1,618 sqm gallery. Free guided tours are available for booking through PUB website. Read more about the gallery and its different zones here.

8 Marina Gardens Drive, Marina Barrage

Tel: +65 6514 5959 Email: PUB_MarinaBarrage@pub.gov.sg

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has awarded the BCA Universal Design* (UD) Mark to 26 exemplary projects this year. Kampung Admiralty is one of four completed developments, to clinch the apex UD Mark (Platinum) award.

Kampung Admiralty designed by WOHA Architects comprises two 11-storey residential blocks and offers 104 units of Studio Apartments. Integrated with healthcare, eldercare, childcare and commercial facilities, Kampung Admiralty serves as a one-stop hub that encourages social interaction and active living through its innovative design, communal spaces and sustainable features.

As reflected in its name, Kampung Admiralty is envisaged to foster greater community bonding and reignite the kampung spirit of yesteryear.

Kampung Admiralty is Singapore's first integrated development that adopts UD principles extensively to create an inclusive, well-designed and user-friendly environment for senior residents of all abilities to live comfortably and independently. For instance, the development incorporates a 900-seater hawker centre which is well-lit and well-ventilated as well as a medical centre which brings specialist care and day surgeries targeted at common ailments faced by the elderly. In the flat, elderly-friendly features include grab bars, the use of non-slip vinyl floor, the installation of retractable laundry hanger and built-in induction cooker. The active-ageing hub also offers day programmes for seniors and has day care and rehabilitation services for those with greater needs.

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park will be home to Singapore’s biggest artificial reef by the end of this year.

The National Parks Board (NParks) and JTC Corporation are working on the undersea housing for marine life project at the Sisters' Islands Marine Park, which will see 10m high structures placed in the waters by the end of the year. They will be made from concrete and recycled rocks from JTC's other projects. The marine park will get an additional 500 sq m of reef area to support existing habitat enhancement and reef restoration efforts to conserve marine biodiversity.

The idea is to transform bare seabed into a thriving marine ecosystem by giving corals a place to take root, and in turn attract fish and other sea life.

Singapore is home to more than 250 species of hard corals, about one-third of the worldwide diversity.

Tengah Town embodies Housing & Development Board's (HDB) vision for new towns of the future - green, sustainable and smart. The first HDB town to full intergrate with its surrounding ecosystems, it will also be the first to have a car-free town centre nestled next to a lush green park.

Guided by HDB's Smart and Sustainable framework, Tengah will offer some 42,000 residential dwelling units, providing new living opportunities in the west to meet housing needs.

Around 1,500 HDB flats will be the first to be launched in November this year at Tengah, the first new town in more than 20 years.

When it is fully developed in two decades, Tengah could comprise 42,000 new homes: 30,000 units of public housing and 12,000 units of private housing.

And when completed, Tengah will grow to about 700 hectares, which is roughly equivalent in size to Bishan Town.

Tengah was conceptualised as a unique town in Singapore and as the country's first "Forest Town" with a green theme spread across the district.

Website: www.hdb.gov.sg

Tel: 1800 225 5432

The National Parks Board (NParks) opens Marsiling Park, formerly known as Woodlands Town Garden, after 22 months of enhancement works. As a result of close consultation with the community during the design process, the park now offers a range of new day and night experiences for visitors to enjoy. Enhancements have also been sensitively made to the mangrove area to allow visitors to get closer to nature as well as for biodiversity to thrive.

With its lush greenery and peaceful ambience, Marsiling Park is an oasis of calm and tranquillity. The park features activity areas and amenities for visitors of all ages.

Visitors can enjoy the view of the picturesque pond from the viewing tower or the boardwalks, especially in the evening, as the lighting is curated to leverage on the reflections on the water body to create a special illumination effect.

The one of a kind butterfly-shaped playground with climbing ropes provides children with a challenging play experience while the Fun Play area has play equipment with musical elements for an interactive play experience.

Nature-lovers will appreciate the butterfly-attracting plants and educational interpretive boards that have been introduced around the playground, as well as the enhanced mangrove habitat along the western edge of the park.

There are also several spaces for community activities, such as the activity plaza and the amphitheatre, which features a rain garden. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the F&B outlet in the park, which is open 24 hours daily.

Read more about the park here.

Finally. A store that helps us solve the problem of food waste and excessive plastic packaging, while saving you money on your weekly grocery bill. UnPackt is the first zero-waste bulk store in Singapore that offers their customers the luxury of quality-assured food and daily lifestyle products in their own containers so they are free from plastic waste.

Opening soon in May; the store will also run a recycling scheme offering donated containers for customers who visit the store without their own. Reusable containers can also be bought.

Co-founded by former business executives Jeff Lam and Florence Tay, UnPackt is a social enterprise that aims to spread the zero-waste message and make packaging-free shopping more accessible in Singapore. The store will hire staff from two disadvantaged groups, seniors and single parents.

6 Jalan Kuras

Email: info@unpackt.com.sg

The Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Seed Bank is Singapore’s first seed bank and will conserve the seeds of threatened plant species from Southeast Asia. Works for the seed bank are expected to be completed by mid-2019.

The seed bank will play a key role in conserving plant diversity in the region and ensure the growth of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ plant collection. The seed bank will have the capacity to store seeds from up to 25,000 species of plants. This is around half the total number of seed plant species in Southeast Asia, and nearly triple the 9,000 species of plants that the Gardens currently has in its living collection. When established, the seed bank targets to achieve 100 seed collections per year.

The facility will be established in House 4, the largest of five colonial-style houses within the Raffles College. Originally named Mansfield Lodge, it served as the college president’s residence when it was built in the 1920s. This house was designated as a Conserved Building in October 2006. Read more about this project here.

Great World City of Allgreen Properties is set to undergo its first major refurbishment in 20 years while the mall remains open.

Estimated to cost more than $50 million, works will be carried out over two years and should be completed by the third quarter of 2020.

Aside from typical upgrading of façade, skylights, flooring and ceiling for a refurbishment; Allgreen will also reconfigure the escalators and interior walkways to enhance navigation and accessibility of consumers. It also plans to connect the office’s lifts to the mall’s third level.

Uniquely-designed dual-level retail pods in the foyer of the mall are also part of the renovation plan, which are among the first for shopping malls here in Singapore.

The mall will also house some 50 new tenants. And the F&B offerings will increase from the current 20 per cent to 30 per cent of net lettable space when works are completed.

Shoppers can look forward to an enhanced shopping experience at Great World City in the near future after its transformation.

Want to know what goes on inside a Community in Bloom (CIB) Community Garden here in Singapore? At the Leng Kee CC Sky Community Garden, there are more than 60 species of edibles, ornamental and biodiversity-enhancing plants at its newly renovated rooftop! The Women Executive Committee (WEC) helps to maintain this community garden and regularly harvests herbs and spices for cooking demonstrations in their community kitchen next to the garden. The food is then shared with interest groups and members of the public.

Put your horticulture skills to good use and contribute to the unique green ambience of Singapore through Nparks' ‘Community In Bloom’ programme!

Launched in May 2005 and first carried out at Mayfair Park Estate, the Community in Bloom nationwide gardening movement aims to foster a community spirit and bring together residents, both young and old, to make Singapore our garden. Today, CIB has close to 1,000 community gardens across Singapore that have engaged over 20,000 residents.

Jurong Lake Gardens West focuses on nature, play and the community. It is currently under construction. When it opens in 2019, the public will be able to see a restored swamp forest and wetlands, a nature-themed play area, allotment gardens, lifestyle and sports facilities, and F&B options.

One of the key design concepts for Jurong Lake Gardens West is the Heron Island.

Herons are among the wildlife living in the Jurong Lake area. Platforms will be installed on Heron Island to encourage roosting and nesting, away from human disturbance. Enhancing habitats for wildlife and keeping the tranquility of the area are key considerations in the development of Jurong Lake Gardens West, enabling visitors to enjoy nature and biodiversity.

Children can look forward to Forest Ramble, a nature-themed play area that will capture their fascination for plants and animals. Forest Ramble will comprise varied adventure play experiences for children to mimic the actions of animals – from crawling through a “squirrel’s nest” to gliding through a tree canopy.

The new entrance pavilion at the north carpark will serve as an arrival point to introduce visitors to the Gardens. The multiple columns of the pavilion are inspired by the hanging aerial roots of the many Ficus trees found within the Gardens.

Looking for a space to nurture your green fingers? NParks provides allotment gardening plots at various parks for anyone who wishes to have their own space to garden.

Allotment gardens offer plots of land to individuals to rent for growing their own plants. Following the initial success of the pilot scheme at HortPark, new allotment gardening plots will be introduced in 10 more parks islandwide over the next two years. By 2019, more than 1,000 allotment garden plots will be available to the community.

Each allotment plot consists of a 2.5 m x 1 m raised planter bed, and can be leased for three years at a charge of $57/year (excluding GST).

Enhancement plans to restore rich history of Fort Canning Park were announced by The National Parks Board (NParks).

Three historical gardens will be recreated as part of efforts to restore the rich heritage of Fort Canning Park and its surroundings. The three gardens within and around Fort Canning Park make up the heritage landscapes of Fort Canning Hill, and include Singapore’s first botanic garden. The National Parks Board (NParks) will create these gardens as part of sensitive enhancements to Fort Canning Park to emphasise Fort Canning’s historical features. Enhancements will be accompanied by the introduction of a greater variety of education and outreach programmes, and enhanced accessibility to the park.

Fort Canning Centre will also be repurposed as a gallery for visitors to learn more about the history of the hill and its surroundings. Members of the public are invited to volunteer at park programmes and give suggestions on the upcoming enhancements.

As one of Singapore’s two National Parks, Fort Canning Park is deeply rooted in history, from the time of the 14th century kings to the founding of modern Singapore. The enhancements will highlight the significance of Fort Canning Hill and retrace the history of Singapore across the 14th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The heritage landscapes of Fort Canning Hill and its surroundings will be restored and weaved seamlessly into Fort Canning Park with the creation of three gardens, namely the Royal Garden, the First Botanic Garden, and Jubilee Park.

The First Botanic Garden, which was established by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822 to also serve as an experimental garden, will extend from Fort Canning Park onto the streetscapes of roads bounded by Hill Street, Victoria Street, Bras Basah Road, Handy Road and Canning Rise. As part of the First Botanic Garden, a large part of Armenian Street will be pedestrianised and turned into a park featuring plants that were introduced as economic crops for the spice trade, food and horticulture. Economic crops such as nutmeg were cultivated in the First Botanic Garden before they were propagated across Singapore in the 1800s. The new park at Armenian Street is part of a multi-agency effort by URA, NParks, PUB, LTA, NHB and NAC in close collaboration with stakeholders within the vicinity to create new vibrant public spaces that visitors can enjoy. The new park at Armenian Street and wider sidewalks along Coleman Street will also enable visitors to walk comfortably from Armenian Street to Civic District, linking Fort Canning Park, Bras Basah.Bugis and the Civic District together into an expanded arts, cultural and heritage district.

NParks is also planning a greater variety of education and outreach programmes, including re-curation of existing heritage trails of the 14th and 19th centuries. These trails will be enhanced to interpret the rich history of Fort Canning Park and feature new nodes. The 14th century trail will feature the Forbidden Spring or Pancur Laranganwhich is believed to be the bathing site of the royals. The refreshed 19th century trail will feature the restored Raffles Garden and Farquhar Garden, which will showcase plants collected and documented by Sir Stamford Raffles and Singapore’s First Resident William Farquhar through their botanical explorations.

“Jubilee Park” will be restored where the King George V Jubilee Park was originally located at the junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Avenue. The park will avail more outdoor family-friendly venues for arts and culture activities in a garden setting. New amenities will include play features, a landscaped theatre and an event lawn.

Find out more about this restoration project here.

Scheduled to open this year, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore is superbly located within the renowned Laguna National Golf and Country Club only 10 minutes by car from Changi International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown.

Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore comprises 198 tastefully-decorated rooms and suites plus eight corporate villas showcasing the best of contemporary Asian design, this luxurious hotel is perfectly equipped for business and leisure with a wealth of experiences to enjoy.

Facilities include a multi-ethnic cuisine restaurant and The Nest golf club restaurant, the Legends Bar, the Dusit deli, the Club Lounge, a fully-equipped gym, a swimming pool and kids’ pool, a pool bar and grill for al fresco dining, three tennis courts, a putting green, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa.

The hotel also offers a boardroom, two meeting rooms, two large event lawns, and a large pillarless ballroom (seating up to 650 guests) with a pre-function area overlooking the golf course.

Guests also enjoy easy access to the driving range and two-championship golf courses.

11 Laguna Golf Green

Email: contactus@dtls.com.sg

Sembawang Hot Spring, the only hot spring on mainland Singapore, will be developed into a community park 10 times its current size.

The Sembawang Hot Spring was discovered in 1908 on the grounds owned by a Chinese merchant, Seah Eng Keong. Since then, the land has changed hands a few times. It was once a thermal bathhouse for Japanese soldiers, after their occupation of Singapore during World War II.

Sembawang Hot Spring holds many memories for the community that has used it over the years. The design of the new Sembawang Hot Spring Park is shaped by the 'kampung-like' environment and will be kept rustic with various spaces where visitors can gather & enjoy the activities in this unique park. The design will be further refined with ideas and suggestions received from the public.

Work on the park will begin in early 2018 and are expected to be completed by 2019.

At the new park after its completion; park visitors will be greeted by a lush floral walk comprising plants that evoke past memories. This includes edibles once commonly found in kampungs that visitors can now admire as they head to the café at the far end of the Floral Walk. Across the bridge from the café, visitors can experience a rustic landscape with verdant lawns, streams and unpaved paths. Naturalistic planting of a freshwater swamp forest landscape and fruit trees surround this area, leading visitors to the hot spring.

Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Hot Spring Park

Tel: 1800 - 471 7300 Email: nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

The Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden has doubled in size with a new two-hectare extension that includes new attractions and programmes geared towards youngsters up to 14 years old.

This will allow families with older children to immerse in nature as they explore the different eco-systems simulated in this new extension. It aims to expose children to and help them understand the ecology of plants through nature play and experiential learning. Prior to the extension, the Garden catered to children up to 12 years old.

The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is the first garden in Asia dedicated to children. Its theme of ‘Life on Earth Depends on Plants’ aims to educate and instil a love for nature in children. The Garden is a complete nature-learning environment, where children can delve deeper into the ecology of plants and our environment through discovery and experiential learning.

The Garden offers children a space for exploration, adventure and play, with a farm, an orchard, and a forest with its own stream and ponds. Young adventure seekers can explore the suspension bridge and nature play areas; budding naturalists can walk along the stream and climb into the tree-houses; and all urban gardeners can observe how plants grow and pick up some gardening tips! Be an ‘Adventurer’, ‘Gardener’ or ‘Naturalist’ for a day at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden by following these carefully curated trails.

1 Cluny Road, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Tel: 1800-471 7300 (Toll-free) Email: nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

Located in Woodlands, Admiralty Park is the largest park in the north. It is situated on hilly terrain with Sungei Cina river running through it, and houses the largest nature area within an urban park. The enhanced 7-ha urban area now features 26 slides – the most number of slides in any park in Singapore! The widest slide and the longest slide in a public park can be found here.

The playground capitalises on the undulating terrain to site the 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.

Admiralty Park also features an inclusive playground, as part of an initiative announced by NParks in 2015. Inclusive playgrounds provide the physical structure, or ‘hardware’, that supports play between children with and without special needs.

The 20-ha nature area encompasses a diverse mix of secondary forest, mangrove, riverine and open grassland habitats, and is home to more than 100 species of flora and fauna. With several trails within the 20-hectare nature area, visitors can discover the different species living in the forest, spot hordes of dragonflies and observe monkeys in their natural habitat. Alternatively, emerge from the secondary forest near the car park and admire the butterflies and different species of birds as you walk through the grassland. The walking trail also showcases interesting flora like the Putat Kampung Tree and climbers like Hedgehog Rattan, an increasingly rare plant in Singapore. The nature area will be open to public by December 2017.

The Therapeutic Garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is situated near the pond gardens and was launched on 19 September 2017.

Therapeutic Gardens are outdoor gardens designed to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of park users, incorporating design principles derived from scientific evidence.

Together with therapeutic horticulture programmes involving plants and nature, visitors can experience a range of health benefits such as the relief of mental fatigue, reduced stress and an overall improvement to emotional well-being.

The garden is specially designed to engage the senses with a landscape of plants divided into four zones: Fragrance zone, Biodiversity zone, Edibles and Medicinal zone and Colours and Textures zone.

The 900sqm Therapeutic Garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park has design elements and user-friendly features to meet the needs of the elderly, including those with conditions such as dementia. It also provides respite for visitors of all ages.

The greenery and sensory aspects in the garden will provide visitors with a rehabilitative environment, providing relief from attention fatigue and stress. This is complemented by an outdoor activity area where therapeutic horticulture programmes will be carried out. Each session is about 1.5 hours and the activities are designed to stimulate participants’ senses and memories through nature interaction, and to encourage motor and hand-eye coordination.

Located near various eldercare and senior activity centres, the 750sqm Therapeutic Garden @ Tiong Bahru Park is designed to be elderly-friendly. It provides a holistic rehabilitative environment for conditions including dementia. The Garden also helps to relieve stress and brings restorative effects to the mental well-being of visitors of all ages.

The design elements in Therapeutic Garden @ Tiong Bahru Park are similar to the garden in HortPark. It has a simple and clear garden layout, seats facing different directions to provide various views, and the profusion of plants with colour, texture and scents to stimulate the senses. An area specifically designed for gardening with customised benches for potting makes it more convenient for the elderly and wheelchair users to participate in gardening, which improves their health and mental well-being.

The Garden also has raised planter beds of two heights to cater to different groups of visitors. The raised planter beds at a lower height encourages wheelchair users to interact with plants and flowers, while the taller raised planter beds enables seniors who have difficulty bending to do gardening while standing.

A rich variety of plants has been arranged in different zones to evoke visitors’ senses as they move along the pathway.

New exhibits were unveiled recently at the bigger and enhanced Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery which was opened to the public in 2015.

Among the new exhibits visitors can explore is an immersive 3D virtual reality dive experience along the coral reefs at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. They can also observe life between the tides through a mangrove mesocosm, likely one of the first of its kind in the region, where mangroves are planted under controlled conditions to mirror the natural environment as closely as possible. Besides providing an opportunity for visitors to learn more about mangrove habitats, the mesocosm will also allow researchers or schools to conduct observations or simple experiments.

Another new exhibit is a viewing pool where visitors can study sea anemones, sea cucumbers, feather stars and other intertidal organisms up close. The Public Gallery will also feature aquariums for visitors to admire coral reef organisms such as sea fans, sponges and reef fish, and learn about NParks’ coral conservation efforts.

Singapore’s first Marine Park spans about 40 hectares, encompassing Sisters’ Islands and the western reefs of both St John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor. The Sisters’ Islands Marine Park serves as a platform for outreach, educational, conservation and research activities related to our native marine biodiversity. The location was chosen due to its variety of habitats including coral reefs, sandy shores and seagrass areas.

NParks developed and curated the St John’s Island Trail to encourage public appreciation for its rich biodiversity and the history of St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. The trail is part of NParks’ outreach initiatives on marine biodiversity under NParks’ Nature Conservation Masterplan, which consolidates Singapore’s biodiversity conservation efforts to help achieve Singapore’s City in a Garden vision.

The 2.8 km St John’s Island Trail comprises 15 stations marked with signboards that serve as both station markers and educational resources, highlighting the diversity of flora and fauna as well as the island’s colourful history.

St John’s Island is rich in local history. Since 1604, the island was marked on explorers’ maps. The island was planted extensively with crops in the mid-19th century, before it became a quarantine centre. In 1948, parts of the island were converted into a detention centre for political prisoners such as C. V. Devan Nair, who later became Singapore’s third President. From the 1970s onwards, the island has been mainly used for recreation and is popular with beach-goers and picnickers. Today, it serves as a base for marine research.

When you are on the island, try spotting Singapore’s tallest bird (1.15 m), the Great-billed Heron. It uses its dagger-like bill to spear large fish. This species is locally critically-endangered due to habitat loss.

Jurong Lake Gardens (JLG) is envisioned to be Singapore’s new national gardens in the heartlands, a people’s garden for leisure and recreation, and a model for sustainability in green development.

The 90-hectare gardens will comprise JLG West, JLG Central and JLG East. JLG West is currently undergoing development, and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. JLG Central and JLG East will be completed from 2020 onwards.

You can begin to enjoy JLG West from 2018! Look out for a meandering boardwalk that will bring people closer to nature, a nature-themed play area for kids, and a community lifestyle and water sports facility for activities such as kayaking and dragon boating.

JLG will be the first national gardens in the heartlands. It will complement two existing world-class national gardens – Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) and Gardens by the Bay (GB). SBG’s strength lies in its botanical emphasis, research and heritage value, whilst GB’s strength is in its themed gardens and sustainability efforts. JLG’s focus is to be a people’s garden accessible to all segments of the community.

JLG will be a unique leisure and recreation destination amongst the other major parks including East Coast Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Pasir Ris Park, and is strategically located to serve the western region of Singapore.

JLG is a vital green infrastructure that contributes to Jurong Lake District’s vision to be ‘a leading model for Singapore in developing a mixed-use urban district that is sustainable, smart and connected’. It will feature sustainable design systems and smart technologies that enable sustainable operation.

With more than 100 species of native plants on-site, the enhanced Native Garden @ HortPark by The National Parks Board (NParks) has the highest concentration of native plants, including edibles, shrubs and trees, in a single location in Singapore.

The Garden aims to promote the use of native plants in gardens and will provide visitors with a wealth of information on their uses (for food, medicine and timber), how they support native fauna, how they can be used in landscapes, and how to grow them.

TAG : Green