News Releases

14 May 2008

URA announces plans for Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced plans to build a series of connections that will provide a seamless link at the Southern Ridges from Alexandra Road to the waterfront at Bukit Chermin. Along the way, visitors will be able to enjoy the greenery and rustic charm of the mangrove areas of Berlayer Creek and take in the waterfront views at Bukit Chermin.

This initiative was first announced on 10 May 2008 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the official opening of the two pedestrian bridges – Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch – at the Southern Ridges. The plan is in line with URA’s efforts to further enhance the attractiveness of Singapore’s Southern Ridges and southern waterfront as yet another leisure and recreation destination for Singaporeans and visitors.

The Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk will offer three distinctive experiences:

A Delightful Garden Trail at Alexandra Road

The 830 metre Alexandra Road Garden Trail will stretch along the eastern bank of Alexandra Road between Depot Road and Telok Blangah Road.

It will be well connected to the Southern Ridges recreational corridor and the HortPark. The nearby Gillman Village and the recently completed Alexandra Arch will also act as attractions for the users of the park connector.

In line with the Garden Trail concept, footpaths and cycle paths will meander around the matured roadside trees along Alexandra Road, and special landscaping such as flowering shrubs will add interest to the walk. There will also be rest points and information centres along the trail.

Berlayer Creek: A Charming Spot in the South

The second segment of the project is the 960 metre Berlayer Creek Mangrove Trail.

Berlayer Creek is one of the few mangrove areas located in the southern part of Singapore and in close proximity to the city area. The proposed mangrove trail will offer urbanites a quiet nature retreat from the busy city life and the opportunity to enjoy the natural charm of the mangrove.

The mangrove trail comprises the following features:

The Breathtaking Beauty of Bukit Chermin

The experience of using this recreational trail will culminate at the 330 metre Bukit Chermin Harbour View Walk proposed at the mouth of Berlayer Creek.

This elevated boardwalk on sea will skirt around the foothill of Bukit Chermin, and connect to the future promenade of the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium eastwards and Labrador Park westwards. Rest points along the boardwalk will allow visitors to soak in the beautiful southern waterfront views of Keppel Harbour and Sentosa.

A New Playground in the South

The Southern Ridges, Labrador area and Keppel waterfront will collectively form a major recreational and leisure destination at the southern part of Singapore. Two attractive linkages at the Southern Ridges – Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch and their connecting elevated walkway – are now officially opened. They have enabled visitors to take a seamless stroll from HarbourFront MRT station all the way to Kent Ridge Park through a series of other interesting trails. Mount Faber, a key node within the Southern Ridges, has also been revamped to cater for better facilities such as restaurants and eateries while developments along the Keppel waterfront such as St James Power Station, VivoCity and Harbourfront Centre have anchored the waterfront as a leisure and vibrant commercial centre.

When completed, the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk will not only open up stretches of inaccessible coastline for the public’s enjoyment, but also link up the attractions in the Southern Ridges and the southern waterfront to form a comprehensive recreational corridor. The project will allow visitors seamless connectivity while enjoying a variety of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy scenic hilltop and nature walks across Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge Park, patronise the food & beverage outlets at Gillman Village, explore the Berlayer mangrove creek, and take in the views of the Keppel Bay enroute to Harbourfront.

Said Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, Chief Executive Officer, URA, “The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, when completed, will allow us to better appreciate some of the very special places on our island that were previously not accessible. Together with the earlier completed links at Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch at the Southern Ridges, this new project will further realize our plans to create a memorable experience for Singaporeans and visitors in this part of Singapore.”

Construction for the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk is scheduled to start in 2009 and it is expected to be completed in 2011.

Part of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan

The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk is also part of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan exhibited by URA in 2002, which seeks to enhance Singapore's green spaces and waterbodies on an island-wide basis. Earlier in 2007, URA shared plans for a new waterfront promenade and a park at Punggol Point and also proposals for a promenade and a park along a tranquil stretch of coastline in Woodlands. Both these projects are expected to be completed in 2010.

Fact sheet on Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk