A new 2.2 km section of Pasir Panjang Park has opened, expanding on the first part of the park that opened in September 2021 and providing a glimpse into the future network of parks that will help to connect West Coast Park towards Labrador Nature Reserve and beyond.
The original 450-metre stretch of Pasir Panjang Park runs from Pasir Panjang Drive 1 towards Jalan Pelapah. It can found behind Pasir Panjang Food Centre and Pasir Panjang MRT Station.
New Section of Pasir Panjang Park
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However, now to the west of Pasir Panjang Food Centre, a new section of park extends towards Orto at West Coast.
This new section of Pasir Panjang Park features two paths – one is a pedestrians-only path while the other is a shared path for cyclists and foot traffic.
Walking along this section of Pasir Panjang Park, you will find yourself shielded (to some extent) from the noise of West Coast Road. This makes for a more pleasant walk compared to walking beside the busy road.
You will find two rest shelters made from repurposed shipping containers at Pasir Panjang Park. These pay tribute to the maritime heritage of Pasir Panjang.
One of the shelters can found at the junction of West Coast Highway and Harbour Drive.
Made up of a singular container, it provides seating as well information about shipping containers.
The second, and larger, of the two shelters is about 900 metres to the west.
This shelter is built from two shipping containers and includes various maritime artefacts like a ship telegraph and a ship anchor.
It also houses an old cannon that was previously displayed at the old Pasir Panjang Park.
You will also be able to find more information about Pasir Panjang’s heritage and the artefacts on the signboards at the container shelter.
All the containers have been decorated with colourful artwork by artist RON. These murals are based on the themes of globalisation, cultural diversity and the preservation of life.
Coastal Connections
Pasir Panjang means “long beach” or “long sand” in Malay and Pasir Panjang Park is the first park to be designed under the Friends of the Park Citizen Engagement Park programme.
If you visit the original 450 metre section Pasir Panjang Park, you will find that the pedestrian foot path has been designed to be sand colour, making it almost appear that you are walking along a shoreline. This is purposely done to pay tribute to the former shoreline at Pasir Panjang.
However, the shoreline has long shifted away from the vicinity of Pasir Panjang Park. A signboard shows where it used to be.
Now, Pasir Panjang Park overlooks the Pasir Panjang Terminal, managed by PSA Singapore.
A set of mooring bollards can also be found at the park.
Each bollard weighs around 300 kg and four of them could be used to secure a 120,000 displacement tonnage vessel docked at the terminal.
Just like the shipping containers, the bollards at the Pasir Panjang Park were donated by PSA Singapore.
The park also features some interesting trees, including those what would have been found along the coastal shoreline.
There is the Sea Teak, a critically endangered species, that was used as a softwood timber.
Another interesting tree is the Twin-Apple, another rare tree that grows on rocky and sandy seashores.
Pasir Panjang Park Nature Playgarden
Behind Pasir Panjang Food Centre is also where you can find the Pasir Panjang Park Nature Playgarden. This consists of a series of log-based obstacles such as stepping stones and a Jacob’s ladders.
The Pasir Panjang Park Nature Playgarden is designed for kids between the ages of 3 to 6 years old. It is set on sandy garden, yet another call-out to the old shoreline.
Getting to Pasir Panjang Park
As mentioned earlier, the park is located just behind the Pasir Panjang Food Centre.
It can also be reached by a footpath from the Pasir Panjang MRT Station.
Eventually, Pasir Panjang Park will be part of the Greater Southern Waterfront which will stretch out from Pasir Panjang to Bay East Garden. This is due to be completed in 2026 and will cover 30 km of Singapore’s coastline.
If you liked this story, you will also like this one on the KPMG Wellness Garden and its nature playgarden.
