Bukit Gombak to get new park with walking trail next year

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Low Yen Ling looking at a map of the upcoming Bukit Gombak Park, which will have a 400m walking trail and features such as a community garden and dog run.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Low Yen Ling looking at a map of the upcoming Bukit Gombak Park, which will have a 400m walking trail and features such as a community garden and dog run. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

A park the size of seven football fields will open in Bukit Gombak early next year.

Located opposite Bukit Batok Driving Centre in Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, the Bukit Gombak Park will feature a 400m walking trail modelled after that in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

A total of 2,000 trees from more than 16 species will be planted, including critically endangered varieties such as the yellow flame and kula gardenia.

Work on the new park kicked off yesterday with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Low Yen Ling, both Chua Chu Kang GRC MPs.

"The new Bukit Gombak Park will substantially expand our green space and enhance our estate's iconic status as a green oasis," said Ms Low.

She said the new park will be linked by a park connector to the popular Little Guilin and Bukit Batok Nature Park.

"Being close to nature has therapeutic effects, and this benefit is important to many Singaporeans who live hectic lives," said Ms Low.

The new park will comprise a nature area and an active area.

The nature area will be located on a hill with a hiking trail to take pressure off the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by drawing visitors over.

At the active area, visitors will have access to an open lawn for events as well as to an outdoor fitness area, community garden and a cafe. Dog owners will be able to use a 480 sq m dog run, the first in the Bukit Gombak area.

Miss Angela Ang, who lives in a Housing Board flat right next to the site, is looking forward to the park's opening.

"It is nearer to my home than the current places available," said the 42-year-old research executive, who has lived there with her parents for 15 years.

"Right now, the nearest hiking trail is Bukit Batok Nature Park. That is about a 30-minute walk away. Even by bus, it takes about 15 minutes," said Miss Ang.

Because it is conveniently located, she said elderly residents like her parents, who are both in their 60s, can visit the park regularly to stay healthy.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 01, 2019, with the headline Bukit Gombak to get new park with walking trail next year. Subscribe