March 16, 2012

Bishan Park - Kallang Park Connector

Bishan Park
It is located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 between Upper Thomson Road and Bishan Road. It occupies 62 hectares with a 3km stream running through it. From a park with a straight dull forbidding concrete canal it has been changed into one with a winding stream and several lakes with increased greenery and environmentally pleasing features. The slow flowing stream is so inviting that one wants to get close to it and splash with the water. It also serves as a buffer in case of excessive rain when its capacity can be increased by 40% as the park will serve as a channel to hold the increased run-off. Visitors are allowed to get closer to the water edge to enjoy nature. Sirens, warning lights, depth markers, speakers were installed to warn park users in case of an increase of water level.

Birdwatchers at work
With the increased vegetation, the biodiversity has increased. More species of wildlife are seen. The little egret can now walk in the shallow stream to look for food. Concrete lining from the old canal were used to form the Lookout Hill. Plants were grown to help prevent soil erosion. Lakes were remodeled to enhance the landscape. New amenities were built. There is a McDonald outlet near the eastern part of the park. We had to seek refuge from the afternoon rain here and enjoy the 70 cents soft ice, while waiting for another fellow walker to join us.

Bidadari Park
There are several aesthetically designed bridges crossing the stream. These provide pleasing backdrop to the park as well.

Bishan Park

Kallang Park Connector
The Kallang Park Connector starts from Kallang Riverine Park at the Kallang Basin then runs through Kallang Bahru, Potong Pasir, Bishan and finally through Bishan Park and its source of water the Lower Peirce Reservoir. As we have visited this connector several times both before and during the reconstruction of the park we decided its time to travel along it again.

Bridge Bishan Park
Our walk started in Aljunied Road where we also took a look at Bidadari Park which was a cemetery now turned into a park. A group of birdwatchers were patiently filming the birds so we did not join them so as not to disturb the birds.

We then moved on to Braddell Road and explored Woodleigh Park. The PUB has a recreation club and waterworks in the area. We were surprised to find the black and white houses here. These were built by the British to house their colonial staff. We explored an abandoned track behind the houses of Carmichael Road. It led to a locked gate of the waterworks. We were hoping to find a shortcut to the canal. So we retraced our route to Braddell Road to get on to the Kallang Park Connector just after the Central Expressway..

Lookout Hill
The Park Connector led us past the SMRT train depot before we arrived at Bishan Park. Most of the construction barricades have been taken down in readiness for the official opening in the coming weeks. After visiting the park we moved on to the Lower Peirce Reservoir. By going past the fishing area northward we reached the entrance to the forest trail. This trail ends at Old Thomson Road near Casuarina Walk where one can enjoy his prata.

Stream through Bishan Park

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