Nature walkway will link Alexandra to Keppel

May 15, 2008

From garden to creek to harbour - all in just 2km

Nature walkway will link Alexandra to Keppel

By Liaw Wy-Cin

IN THREE years, the last part of the plan to transform Singapore's rugged southern coast into a nature haven will fall into place.

This will take the form of a 2.2km walkway - the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk - which will take nature lovers from Alexandra Road to Keppel Harbour on a trek that will include greenery and mangrove swamps.

The more adventurous can continue for another 6km along the waterfront and onto the slopes of Mount Faber and Telok Blangah, then end their walk at the Alexandra start point.

The 8km loop, connecting hills in the Southern Ridges to the southern waterfront, is part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) 2002 plan to create more parks and water bodies.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a passing reference to this walkway last weekend, when he opened two nearby pedestrian bridges in the Southern Ridges.

Also part of the 2002 plan, the 9km-long Southern Ridges comprise three large hill parks - Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.

Two years and $25.5million have gone into developing the Southern Ridges, now crowned by two distinctive bridges - Alexandra Arch and Henderson Waves.

Work to extend the nature playground with the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, estimated to cost $10 million, will start next year, said the URA. It will start with a garden trail at the Alexandra Arch where more shrubs will be planted, and cycling paths and more footpaths built.

The path will wend towards the Berlayer Creek mangrove swamps, which are now inaccessible. Besides a boardwalk, plaques about the plants and animal life will also be put up.

The boardwalk will take the trekker by the sea and link Labrador Park to the future promenade fronting the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium.

With the condominium and the Labrador MRT station slated to be ready by 2011, the whole area - including nearby recreational areas such as Gillman Village and VivoCity - is expected to buzz, said the URA's director (conservation and development services), Mr Ler Seng Ann.

The URA is expected to release a masterplan for leisure activities next week.

wycin@sph.com.sg



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