Woodlands Waterfront

THE Woodlands coast took its most significant step yet in its transformation from sleepy industrial area to bustling waterfront promenade on Sunday.

Once occupied by warehouses, the waterfront now boasts a modern park with highlights such as a 400m-long jetty - the longest in Singapore - and a playground equipped with a two-storey-high 'sky walk'.

Over 2,500 residents joined Sembawang GRC MP and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Health Hawazi Daipi on Sunday for the phase one opening of the Woodlands Waterfront.

Phase two of the $19 million, 9ha park - which will feature, among other things, nature trails and a 700m promenade which will hang over the sea - will be opened only by the end of the year.

When fully completed, the 1.5km Woodlands promenade will form a significant part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA's) plan to link the north region's green spaces with park connectors, which by 2015, will stretch to 90km. Currently, the region has 19km of park connectors. URA's national objective is to build a 150km round island route, which will allow residents to walk, cycle or jog around Singapore.

Feedback played a crucial role in designing the Woodlands Waterfront, which offers a green oasis for residents to play, exercise or gather for activities, while enjoying the sea view. Ultimately, the final concept was a marriage of all that the stakeholders - residents, grassroot leaders and designers - wanted.