New trail at Labrador Nature Park offers 'unblocked' sea views & path through coastal forest

Thinking of visiting Labrador Nature Park during Chinese New Year 2025?

Remember to check out the new 340m-long Keppel Coastal Trail, located between Labrador Nature Reserve and the sea.

The trail, which opened on Jan. 25, promises to offer "a coastal view" and a "serene walking experience" through the park away from the more active recreational areas.

At the same time, it will also connect visitors to the jetty at the park's southern end, said the National Parks Board (NParks) and Keppel in a joint media release.

The development of the trail was first announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in November 2021.

What to expect

According to NParks and Keppel, the trail comprises two main sections: an approximately 90m-long elevated wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, and a 250m-long rustic path.

The former will provide "unblocked views of the sea from an elevated vantage point", whereas the latter will bring visitors through a coastal beach forest habitat.

Visitors can also expect interpretive signage along the trail, offering information about the biodiversity that can be sighted within the park.

Visitors can spot species such as the white-bellied sea eagle, paradise tree snake, and painted bronzeback, as well as the yellow-rumped Flycatcher and oriental honey buzzard during the migratory season.

Taking into consideration the background of the area, youths from NPark's Youth Stewards for Nature (YSN) programme helped propose the landscape design concept for three swales located along the rustic path.

The swales, which also factored in the ecological and design concepts that were suitable for the site in their design, will serve as "natural drainage solutions for the trail" and "complementary habitats for fauna".

Strengthens nature reserve's ecological resilience

As part of the trail development, the coastal beach forest at Labrador has undergone "active restoration" under the Forest Restoration Action Plan, said NParks and Keppel.

This ensures that the coastal beach forest serves as a physical and ecological buffer for the coastal hill forest within the reserve, the latter of which is one of the last few remaining patches of such habitat in mainland Singapore.

Additionally, around 100 species of trees and shrubs, including native coastal species, were planted along the trail to increase food sources and places for fauna to seek shelter.

These efforts may enhance the resilience of the adjacent coastal hill forest by benefitting pollinators and dispersers, such as birds, bats, and butterflies.

To mark the opening of the trail, Lee, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, joined members of the community in planting 55 native coastal trees along the path.

He was also joined by Keppel's chairman Danny Teoh, chief executive officer Loh Chin Hua, and the company's volunteers.

More parks to be enhanced

According to NParks and Keppel, the completion of the trail will complement efforts to transform Labrador Nature Park into a Destination Park "with its own thematic identity and unique features".

The park is one of 13 parks in southwestern Singapore that will be enhanced to provide visitors of various age groups with greater access to recreation amidst nature.

These parks include Pasir Panjang Park, which will expanded from six hectares to eight hectares and will link to other green spaces via the Park Connector Network to Labrador Nature Park.

NParks added that it will call for the tender for the detailed design consultancy in 2025 to welcome proposals for this park extension.

'Every bit counts' in transforming S'pore to City in Nature: Lee

During his opening remarks at the opening of Keppel Coastal Trail, Lee said the trail is part of the government's efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature.

With this, the government aims to bring people closer to nature.

Noting that "every bit [of effort] counts" in bringing the vision into reality, Lee also encouraged everyone to contribute to these efforts, such as by planting trees, participating in biodiversity surveys, or contributing ideas.

Top images via NParks