Pasir Ris Park

Pasir Ris Park runs along the northeastern shore and includes one of the last mangrove stands on the mainland, about six hectares of it preserved when the area was developed, with a boardwalk running through and a three-storey bird tower at the edge. Mudskippers, crabs and monitor lizards work the mud below the walkway. The rest of the park is a conventional seaside strip with barbecue pits, a pond and a long beach.

Background

The park covers 70 hectares and stretches for around 3.2 kilometres, and part of it stands on 44 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea. Plans were announced in April 1978, and two Japanese landscape specialists helped with the design. Work started in September 1984 on the first of three themed stages, "Children's Holiday", which opened on 23 August 1986 at a cost of S$500,000. The other themes were "Saturday Afternoon" and "Fair Weather Sunday", and an area of 7.7 hectares at the western end, meant for large gatherings, was finished by November 1991. An expansion in 2007, costing S$2 million, added a herb garden and a raised wooden walkway of 1.2 kilometres through the mangrove.

Source: Wikipedia, "Pasir Ris Park"

What's there

• The mangrove boardwalk - a raised walk through six hectares of preserved mangrove.
• The bird tower - a three-storey platform over the mangrove canopy.
• The mudskippers - fish moving on the mud below the walkway at low tide.
• The beach - a long shore facing the Johor Strait.

When to go

Year round; low tide is best for the mangrove life. Early morning is coolest and best for birds. Afternoon storms are frequent.

Before you go

The beach faces a busy shipping strait and the water is not for swimming. Mosquitoes in the mangrove are heavy. Weekends fill the barbecue pits and the park is loud.

Nearby

Changi Beach is east, and Coney Island is west.

Key facts