Punggol Promenade is a 5-kilometre long public waterfront promenade serving as a key pedestrian connector for the future Punggol Waterfront Town. Environmental improvement works include an arrival plaza next to the existing beach, a water lily pond park, fishing platforms leaning over the water edge and bridge crossings over canals. Application of sustainable building materials such as GRC simulated concrete, laterite and oxidised steel throughout the promenade makes for an environmentally friendly development.
The newly opened portion of the $16.7-million Punggol Promenade, located along the eastern bank of Serangoon Reservoir is a result of 2 years of construction; the groundbreaking for the riverfront recreational area took place in 2009.
The estuary of Sungei Serangoon was dammed in 2009 to form the reservoir. The 4.9km promenade has been designated a recreational space for residents in the area. It also links Punggol Point to Punggol East and joins up further south with the park connectors along Serangoon Reservoir and Punggol Reservoir. Only its Riverside Walk portion is accessible currently.
Officially opened recently, it is just a short walk from Riviera LRT station. Three food and beverage outlets – a bistro, a seafood restaurant and a fast-food outlet – have also opened in the area. The Riverside Walk features exercise stations, designated cycling and jogging tracks and lookout points that allow visitors to get closer to the water.
The next phase of construction will include a driving range and other facilities. Two other zones, the Nature Walk and Punggol Point Walk, are expected to open later in the year.Nature lovers will also be drawn to the promenade. It is connected by a bridge over Serangoon Reservoir to Lorong Halus Wetland, a biodiversity haven for flora and fauna such as the White-breasted Waterhen and the Striated Heron, also known as the Little Heron. Formerly part of a landfill, it has been converted into an educational site and aims to be a sanctuary for plants, birds and other wildlife.
News on construction of Punggol Promenade that begun back in 2009. By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 August 2009 2111 hrs
SINGAPORE: Work has begun on the construction of Punggol Promenade to develop the waterfront area in Punggol East. It is part of bigger plans by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to promote local tourism at lesser-known coastal areas in Singapore.
Even though many of the plantations and farms in Punggol are now gone, the rustic laidback charm of the area remains and this is a major draw for residents here.
By building the necessary infrastructure in Punggol, authorities hope to pave the way for local tourism. Plans include turning the jetty and beach at Punggol Point into a park with cycling tracks and eateries, and developing the stretch along Coney Channel into nature trails and fishing spots.
This has been a long wait for residents as plans were announced back in 2002, under the URA’s Parks & Waterbodies Plan and Identity Plan.
Pradip Mandal, a Punggol resident, said: “I’ll be looking forward to more recreation places. I’ve got young kids with me, and I need a bit of recreation for myself… cycling, trekking zones will be really nice to have.”
He may just get his wish as the promenade will be connected to other parks and hiking trails, forming a 150-kilometre route around Singapore.
The 5-kilometre Punggol Promenade is expected to be completed in 2011, at a cost of S$16.7 million. Members of Parliament broke ground on the project on Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, touched on future developments for the constituency at the ceremony.
“The pace, of course, will be determined by the demand for housing. The demand for housing still seems to be good and we’re very happy to welcome the new residents here to Punggol 21,” he said.
Punggol 21 is part of the government’s plans to bring waterfront living – complete with new residences and leisure options – to the town. It is expected to be completed over the next few years.
