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  Straits Times 28 Oct 07
A new haven up north
Admiralty Park offers the latest spot for recreation in Woodlands
By Tan Yihui

NParks Press Release 21 Oct 07
Admiralty Park Officially Opens
Singapore’s largest park in the Northwest district to offer both recreational facilities and a mangrove swamp

Channel NewsAsia 22 Oct 07
Largest park in northwest district opens, has 7 hectares for recreation

SINGAPORE: Residents in the northwest district now have a new recreational venue - all seven hectares of it.

The Admiralty Park, which is located right next to Republic Polytechnic on Riverside Road, was officially opened by Health Minister and MP for Sembawang GRC Khaw Boon Wan.

At 27 hectares, it is the largest park in northwest Singapore.

Seven hectares of the park is dedicated to recreational amenities.

It is also the only park in that vicinity to offer both recreational facilities and a mangrove swamp.

The recreational highlights include an activity plaza, fitness equipment and an amphitheatre.

The National Parks Board has left the existing mangrove swamp stay in the park.

This is so that residents can get to appreciate the nature at their doorstep, while the children could learn about nature conservation. - CNA/ir

Straits Times 28 Oct 07
A new haven up north
Admiralty Park offers the latest spot for recreation in Woodlands
By Tan Yihui

ANOTHER people's park has opened, this time in the north-western corner of Singapore.

Called Admiralty Park, the 27ha haven of calm and fresh air along Riverside Road was officially launched last Sunday.

The park, which is a 15-minute walk from the Woodlands MRT station, comprises two portions - recreation and nature.

For now, only the 7ha recreational zone is accessible to the public. Highlights include an activity plaza with fitness facilities and a 400-seater amphitheatre.

Work on the 20ha nature component - which includes a mangrove swamp - is in progress for completion in mid-2008, says the National Parks Board (NParks).

It has budgeted $8.6 million for the entire project.

The park is shaped like a river valley to reflect the fact that Sungei Cina once ran through it. The river has been diverted for the construction of the park.

Admiralty Park joins more than 300 other parks managed by NParks islandwide.

The neighbouring Republic Polytechnic (RP) has adopted it under NPark's Adopt-a-park scheme.

A spokesman for the polytechnic says it is working with NParks to provide activities organised by its students, such as eco-walks.

The students have also set up an interactive website with information on anti-cancer plants found in the park.

Dr Tan Lay Pheng, a facilitator at RP's School of Applied Science, says the tie-up is a logical one.

'For one, RP is right next to the park and because the polytechnic is built without fences, it integrates seamlessly with this park,' she says. tanyihui@sph.com.sg

Admiralty Park is lit from 7pm to 7am. Parking is available at the entrance of the park along Riverside Road.

NParks Press Release 21 Oct 07
Admiralty Park Officially Opens
Singapore’s largest park in the Northwest district to offer both recreational facilities and a mangrove swamp

The National Parks Board (NParks) officially opened Admiralty Park today to engage the surrounding community in recreation and nature experience.

Officiating the launch of Admiralty Park was Guest-of-Honour Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister of Health and MP for Sembawang GRC. Joining him to welcome the new park were more than 1000 residents and students from the Northwest vicinity. Admiralty Park is the largest park in the Northwest district to offer both recreational amenities and a mangrove swamp. The recreational highlights include an activity plaza, fitness equipment and an amphitheatre. Just as importantly, it is nature at the doorstep with an existing mangrove swamp maintained with minimum disturbance for nature conservation, education and appreciation. Speaking at the event, Mr Ng Lang, CEO of NParks, said, “When fully completed, Admiralty Park will be the largest park in the Northwest district. Close to the Woodlands Regional Centre, the park will serve as an accessible recreation stop for the Woodlands community. It will also be the only park in this vicinity to offer accessible forested areas and mangrove habitats, and will bring nature closer to the community.”

The Admiralty Park is made up of two complementary portions. Seven hectares of the park, comprising the recreational facilities, is officially opened to the public with effect from today. The nature component, at 20 hectares, is under construction and is targeted to be ready for use by mid 2008.

As a park adopter, Republic Polytechnic (RP) will be working closely with NParks to inject activities and vibrancy into Admiralty Park. For a start, RP has set up an interactive website for public to find out more about the plant species available in the park. NParks will also engage the students of RP in developing nature trails and other educational programmes for park visitors. In addition, there will be student volunteers to operate the information kiosk and conduct guided walks in the park. In the near future, the community can also look forward to a plethora of activities, ranging from cultural performances to healthy lifestyle talks in the park.

With the park features, NParks hopes to enhance the surroundings of the Woodlands vicinity so that the community can enjoy quality living and continue to choose this district as the place to live, work and play.
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