July 31, 2021, 03:00 PM
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A new recreational green network that consists of 18km of nature trails will be completed and open to the public from 2023, the National Parks Board (NParks) announced on July 31.
This network consists of a new nature trail at the Old Jurong Line (Old Jurong Line Nature Trail) and a new Jurong Town Hall Park Connector that connects the Rail Corridor to Jurong Lake Gardens.
It also includes a new Clementi Nature Trail that will link the Clementi Forest Stream to the new nature park at the western side of Dover forest, also known as the Ulu Pandan estate site.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that these nature trails are created for various purposes:
- To provide a safe access to visitors
- To minimise impact on biodiversity
- To conserve heritage
Old Jurong Line Nature Trail
The new nature trail runs along the Old Jurong Line that cuts through Clementi Forest and has been disused since early 1990s.
According to NParks, it will be a 4km nature trail where visitors can appreciate natural and heritage elements of the Old Jurong Line such as the old tunnels, railway track, and bridges, while minimising ecological impact in the area.
Illustration of Old Jurong Line Nature Trail within Clementi Forest provided by NParks.
Illustration of Old Jurong Line Nature Trail along Clementi Road Tunnel provided by NParks.
With more people going off trail in Clementi Forest, the rare and endangered species of orchids inhabiting within Clementi Forest can be trampled on by accident.
Their natural habitat was also impacted, resulting in a decline in their population, NParks said.
Currently, the Clementi Forest is not intended for recreational purposes and so, the trees are not well maintained. This means there are safety risks for visitors.
Therefore, there is a need to create designated nature trails at Clementi Forest.
This nature trail will be part of the 62km Coast-to-Coast Southern Trail, extending from Changi Beach to Tuas, which will be progressively completed from 2024.
The Coast-to-Coast Southern Trail is the longest cross-island trail to date.
In addition, there will be a new 3km long Jurong Town Hall Park Connector.
Taken together with the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail, the entire 7km recreational route will connect the Rail Corridor to Jurong Lake Gardens.
New Clementi Nature Trail
Besides the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail, there will also be a new 2km Clementi Nature Trail which runs along the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal.
Illustration of Clementi Nature Trail along Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal provided by NParks.
It will connect the Rail Corridor to the upcoming nature park at western half of Dover forest which has been spared from development for the medium term because of a comparatively richer biodiversity than the eastern side.
From Clementi Forest stream, visitors can walk along the Rail Corridor to the Ulu Pandan nature park via this new nature trail and the existing Ulu Pandan Park Connector.
Illustration of Clementi Nature Trail along Clementi Forest stream provided by NParks.
The park connector will bring visitors back to the Rail Corridor to form a complete loop.
The Clementi Nature Trail is expected to open by 2023.
Here's an overview of the entire recreational green network of nature trails:
Photo of green network provided by NParks.
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Top image by NParks
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