Pang Sua Pond in Bukit Panjang combines both functionality with recreational needs. The stormwater collection pond not only helps to prevent flooding but also serves the recreational needs of residents living in the neighbourhood.
In 2017, Pang Sua Pond received a revamped. Itwas officially opened by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 25 March 2017. Amongst the features at Pang Sua Pond are large floating wetland, wellness centre and a 480-metre long boardwalk that connects the surrounding blocks of flats and Senja-Cashew Community Centre.
Pang Sua Pond: Originally Built for Stormwater
The man-made Pang Sua Pond is one of 16 stormwater collection ponds built in the 1990s. It serves to collect rainwater runoff from the surrounding area and alleviates the possibility of flooding during a heavy downpour.
Wondering what happens to the water that you see at the pond? From Pang Sua Pond, the water is pumped to Upper Seletar Reservoir for treatment and storage.
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In fact, this area is no stranger to water-related improvement efforts. Back in the 1970s, the nearby Sungei Pang Sua was part of the “Keep Our Water Clean” campaign. At that time, efforts were expended to desilt Sungei Pang Sua and allow rainwater to flow to the reservoirs.
Floating Wetlands and More
Nowadays, instead of only serving a practical purpose of keeping the floods at bay, Pang Sua Pond also serves a recreational purpose.
Pang Sua Pond has been beautified with a floating wetlands dotted with colourful flowering plants.
The plants at the floating wetlands do not only play an aesthetic role, but also help improve water quality and encourage biodiversity.
3G Wellness Centre at Pang Sua Pond
One of the features found at the northern edge of Pang Sua Pond is a 3G Wellness Centre. This is housed in a standalone building and is a place where elderly residents can enjoy some exercise.
The rooftop of the building also serves as a nice vantage point to enjoy the views of the pond.
There is even an outdoor exercise area just beside the building.
Boardwalk at Pang Sua Pond
The northern end of the pond is also where you can find the boardwalk.
It allows for a leisurely walk around the pond, seven metres above the water.
Performance Stage and Lookout Decks
Other facilities at the pond include a Performance Stage and lookout decks along the boardwalk. The performance stage is along Bukit Panjang Road. There is a Promenade that also runs along Bukit Panjang Road. The Performance Stage is set over the water and connected via a short bridge to the promenade.
You will also be able to find two lookout decks on the eastern edge of the pond. These are located in front of Blocks 405 and 406. They provide a spot where visitors to the pond can enjoy the views of the water.
Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood 5 Park
North of the pond is the Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood 5 Park. This pretty park is laid out across a gentle hillock and crisscrossed with winding paths. It is a perfect companion park to Pang Sua Pond, providing various walking paths that descend towards the pond.
Active, Beautiful, Clean
The refresh of Pang Sua Pond is part of the Public Utilities Board’s Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme.
Interesting, the pond was also the focus of various festive light-ups. In 2021, during the pandemic, the pond was cheerily lit up for occasions such as Hari Raya and the Mid-Autumn Festival. This brought plenty of cheer to people as it was an outdoor venue that they could visit and enjoy getting out and about.
For example, during the Hari Raya period of 2021, the boardwalk over the water was decorated with multi-coloured lights.
The lights start from the northern side of the park, next to Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood 5 Park, and runs along the timber boardwalk, past the floating wetlands, and towards the Promenade on the southern end of the pond.
Even the Performance Stage was set awash with green, yellow and red lights, giving it a vibrant glow.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival 2021, pretty fairy lights and colourful lanterns gave Pang Sua pond and its boardwalk a festive atmosphere. This was made even more spectacular in the evenings when the lights reflect off the waters of the pond.
At the main stage platform, there was a rabbit display in keeping with the legend of the Jade rabbit.
Another decorate stretch of the Pang Sua pond boardwalk was closer to the Community Club. It was a mini version of the Colonnade of Lights found at the Gardens by the Bay Mid-Autumn Festival light up.
This showed how the simple stormwater pond was able to be transformed into a focal point in the community to keep the spirits up.
Getting to Pang Sua Pond
For those who wish to visit Pang Sua Pond, it is located next to Senja-Cashew Community Centre at Bukit Panjang. It is just opposite from Bukit Panjang Plaza. Many residents use it as a through way that connects between their flats to the Bukit Panjang Plaza.
If you enjoyed reading about this story, you may also enjoy reading about Zhenghua Nature Park, a park that is also within the Bukit Panjang estate.
