S'pore to have new nature park at Bukit Timah Turf City: Chee Hong Tat

Singapore will have a new nature park at Bukit Timah Turf City.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat made the announcement on Facebook on Oct. 10.

Chee said the new nature park could span up to 40 hectares, and will connect both Eng Neo Avenue Forest and Bukit Tinggi through a 100-metre wide green corridor.

He added that this will enhance wildlife movement and ecological connectivity.

In new housing estate

The National Parks Board (NParks) will conduct feasibility studies for the park area with plans to keep around 80 per cent of the forested areas as green spaces, said Chee.

He added that nature trails, boardwalks and nature play elements will also be introduced. Such features will allow residents and visitors to enjoy nature up close.

This comes after MND unveiled its plans in 2024 to redevelop Bukit Timah Turf City into a new housing estate with up to 20,000 homes.

Chee added that ecological studies were carried out for the surrounding green spaces at Eng Neo Avenue Forest and Bukit Tinggi.

"Given their rich biodiversity, we decided to retain most of these habitats," he said.

Rich in biodiversity

This is because an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted in 2024 revealed that 177 plant species and 25 animal species of conservation significance were recorded, said Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan.

Tan announced the findings in an Instagram post on Oct. 10, adding that most were found in two existing forested areas — Eng Neo Avenue Forest and Bukit Tinggi.

He added: "These include flora species such as the Vanilla griffithii (a type of flower), which mainly grows in primary rainforests and freshwater swamp forests."

Fauna species of conservation significance were also recorded, said Tan.

They include the long-tailed parakeet and common birdwing.

Future plans

Chee said: "The new nature park will be our ninth nature park within the Central Nature Park Network.

"It will serve as a buffer to protect the Central Catchment Nature Reserve from urban development, while providing more opportunities for nature-based recreation."

Chee added that NParks will continue to engage nature groups and stakeholders on the nature park’s development and will share more details when they are ready.

Top photos from NParks, Francis Yap, Bryan Lim, NParks Flora & Fauna Web