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Unaware of the closing hours, a group of visitors have once again gotten trapped on Coney Island after hours.

A video posted to Facebook by one John Han showed at least 12 people, including two kids, milling about behind the large green gate at the entrance to Coney Island as bystanders observed from outside.

The song "我等到花兒也謝了" ("Wait until Flowers Wither") by Jacky Cheung ironically blasts out loud from a bystander's speaker.

The video then zooms in on a signage on the gate which clearly states the park's opening and closing hours.

In response to Mothership's queries, the National Parks Board's (NParks) Group Director of Parks East, Chia Seng Jiang, said that the agency is aware that some visitors were unable to exit Coney Island Park after the gates were closed.

Park security subsequently arrived within the hour to open the gates for them to exit.

Why does Coney Island close at 7pm sharp?

Coney Island is open from 7am to 7pm, and the gates will be closed on the dot.

Chia explained that Coney Island Park is not artificially lighted, and is closed to the public from 7pm to 7am to allow the nocturnal wildlife, some of which are critically endangered, to have a natural environment to thrive in.

The park is home to rich biodiversity, including coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves, and casuarina woodlands.

As there are no lights on the island, it is also not safe for visitors to explore after 7pm, as they might get lost or put themselves at risk, Chia advised.

Information on the opening hours is indicated on signages at the shelters and on the entry gates of Coney Island Park.

Not the first incident of people getting stuck inside

Previously in August 2021, police responded to a distress call from the park, and a couple who got trapped there after hours had to be rescued by Singapore police.

The pair had apparently taken a wrong turn in the park and gotten lost as the sun set.

Coney Island isn't the only park that closes at 7pm.

Nature reserves (Central Catchment, Bukit Timah Nature Reserves and Sungei Buloh), as well as most nature parks (Dairy Farm, Chestnut, Hindhede, Kranji Marshes, Windsor) are closed at night.

NParks remind all park visitors to respect the opening hours of its parks, and for their safety, to adhere to advisories on-site.

The public can refer to NParks’ website for more information on the etiquette to observe when visiting Coney Island Park here.

Top photo from John Han via Roads.sg / FB