SINGAPORE – A 400m section of the Punggol Heritage Trail was opened on Aug 23, turning what was once a single carriageway road for vehicles into a path for people to walk amid lush greenery.
The trail retains the original distinctive undulating terrain of the former Punggol Road, now known as Old Punggol Road, as well as the existing greenery, most of which consists of coastal forest species.
A nostalgic orange-and-white bus stop of yesteryear stands exactly where an actual bus stop was located, but it now serves as a shelter for trail visitors.
Kampong Wak Sumang, one of Singapore’s earliest fishing villages, was around the area.
“So keeping this as a heritage (area) has a lot of meaning in bringing back those old memories, those nostalgic feels about this place,” said Ms Ang Chiean Hong, coordinating director of parks development at the National Parks Board (NParks).
The entire 1.3km trail is set to be completed by the end of 2026 and will connect Punggol Waterway Park to Punggol Point Park.
On Aug 23, the advisers for Punggol GRC joined residents for a tree-planting session along the trail. They are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong; Senior Minister of State for Education and Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary; Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Sun Xueling; and Ms Yeo Wan Ling.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at a tree-planting session on the Punggol Heritage Trail on Aug 23.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Ms Sun said the Punggol Heritage Trail not only preserves the rustic charm and memories of Old Punggol Road but also serves as a green lung that runs through
the Punggol Digital District
, connecting offices, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) campus and homes.
Plans for the heritage trail were announced in 2018 alongside the rest of the Punggol Digital District, Singapore’s first smart district.
The former Punggol Road, along which the trail runs, was closed to traffic in August 2018.
NParks said that two areas located on the opened section of the trail will be completed by the end of 2025. Adventure Playground has design elements inspired by the game of pick-up sticks, and Backwoods Trail will have numbered sections along its footpath resembling the snakes and ladders game.
Ms Ang said people would remember the Old Punggol Road for its distinctive features, including the undulating terrain that is flanked by tall trees.
“Then along the way, we also added some of the more native species to enhance the forest setting,” she added. These include species of endangered plants.
A 400m section of the Punggol Heritage Trail was opened on Aug 23.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
A member of the public for whom the trail draws memories is Mr Syazrin Khairi.
The 35-year-old technician explored the new heritage trail after seeing that it was open while he was on the way to have dinner in the area with his family.
He remembers riding a motorbike with family and friends down the old Punggol Road as a teenager to go to the Punggol Settlement area just to chill.
While he noted that much has changed since then, Mr Syazrin said it is good that the old road has been retained.
“It’s really a heritage trail that allows you to recall old memories,” he said.
The trail retains the original distinctive undulating terrain of the former Punggol Road, as well as the existing greenery, most of which are of the coastal forest species.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Another distinctive feature of the heritage trail is its proximity to SIT. From the campus there are four entry points to the trail. Another two entry points are in Punggol North Avenue and Campus Boulevard.
The new SIT campus has been fully operational since May and has about 11,000 students.
Second-year SIT student Irfan Rosmadi, 25, who is president of Action for Environment Conservation at the institution, sees the new heritage trail as an opportunity for members of the club to explore activities like the planting of native flora.
Second-year SIT student Irfan Rosmadi sees the new heritage trail as an opportunity for members of the club to explore activities like the planting of native flora.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
The club currently runs guided tours for students in places such as Gardens by the Bay, as well as local farms, to highlight environmental initiatives.
Mr Irfan said: “Being able to see the different plant species, the different flora and fauna, will entice some of the students to come (to the heritage trail) as well because we do have a decent population that is interested in the activities regarding environmentalism.”
PunggolNational Parks Board
