Writer: Serene Tng
From walking through flowers in the heart of the city, catching a glimpse of early Singapore on a historic hill, to taking on family play adventures at nature gardens and enjoying new public and green spaces by the Singapore River, there will be more reasons to linger longer in town.
These are part of the ongoing plans to enhance Orchard Road as a lifestyle destination and to ‘bring back the orchard’ as unveiled in February 2020 by URA and the National Parks Board.
Singapore’s signature street is envisioned to be transformed into a lush green corridor with the introduction of new green spaces and lush planting. It will form part of a six-kilometre green corridor linking Singapore Botanic Gardens, Istana, Fort Canning Park and Singapore River.
Nestled between the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park, Orchard Road used to have fruit orchards and nutmeg plantations. There are plans to re-plant some of these that used to be in the area to showcase its natural heritage. Different trees and shrubs of different colours will also be planted to inject greater vibrancy.
The Istana Park will be redesigned and expanded, combining adjacent open spaces and a pedestrianised section of Orchard Road to create a new park and green attraction. One can enjoy retail and lifestyle uses in the park setting and a new rustic nature play garden for families.
From Istana Park, get to Fort Canning Park with ease through an upcoming link way at 9 Penang Road (previous Park Mall). While immersing in scenes of early Singapore in the hill’s nine historical gardens, learn about Singapore’s role as the spice trading hub in a new spice gallery along the path connecting the Singapore Management University to the Registry of Marriages.
Come down from Fort Canning to Jubilee Park at the foothills. Have more family fun with its play area doubling in size by 2021. Then walk on to the nearby green space at the Foothills redesigned with more dining offerings and flexible activity spaces.
Go across the road to Clarke Quay to enjoy more public spaces along the river at the future landmark hotel and public promenade between Liang Court and the river with this part of Clarke Quay Road pedestrianised. Stroll further across Merchant Road and to Solomon Street to possible new public and green spaces and walk on to the historic and tranquil Pearl’s Hill City Park.
An illustrated map of the greenery enhancements in Orchard Road. (For illustrative purpose only.)
Top image: Artist impression of green spaces. Image credit: NParks