Visitors to Singapore are constantly taken
aback by how green the country is. Expecting nothing but city, they’re always surprised
by the amount of trees and parks throughout the island. So for a new park in
Tampines, the council decided to do something different. Instead of creating a
nice area just for human enjoyment, Tampines Eco Green was designed with nature
and conservation as a primary concern. That’s not to say people have been left
out of the picture completely, viewing platforms for bird watching, a running
track, a nature trail and eco toilets have all been provided. That’s right;
this waterless, odourless amenity turns all human waste into compost using
special bacteria and wood shavings. The eco-friendly aspect of the park covers all
aspects of the park with all signage and furniture made of fully recycled material.
One of the main attractions at Tampines Eco
Green is the bird watching. With so much
new habitat grown, birds have literally flocked to the new area to make their home.
70 different species of birds now call the park home providing a perfect subject
for all the photographers who make the journey here. The 12 species of butterflies
also make for great photos, while the 13 species of dragonflies and 32 species
of spider keep the birds well fed.
Tampines Eco Green is located 20 minutes’
walk south of Pasir Ris MRT station or 10 minutes from the bus stop at Tampines
Regional Library. The park is also connected to the Tampines Biking Trail so it
makes for a nice break in a day of cycling. Riding bikes in the Eco Green
itself is not encouraged so jump off your bike and enjoy the nature. You can
also continue on through to Sun Plaza Park.
At 36.5 hectares, Tampines Eco Green is
quite a large area, but to prove the dedication is to nature, only 2.5 hectares
is developed for public use. It’s these 34 hectares that has led to different
species thriving in this otherwise urban environment. The park also contains no
lights. Not only does this provide a more natural environment for the animals
living here but also cuts down on the materials normally used in the building
of public parks. Of course this makes it not very suitable for night visits.
If you’re a keen photographer in Singapore or
if you just feel after a while in the city-state that you need a dose of nature,
Tampines Eco Green might be the perfect place for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment