Add 'blue' to green S'pore

As published in The Straits Times
08 Nov 2010

New Sengkang wetland part of ongoing effort to beautify water bodies

By Kor Kian Beng

WHENEVER Punggol Central resident Tini Norahmad, 28, wants to let her two boys, aged three and one, enjoy the calming effect of water, she heads to the Woodlands waterfront area near the Causeway. But that means putting up with an hour-long bus journey.

Now she has a better option, which is a 15-minute ride by Light Rapid Transit (LRT) to the Anchorvale Community Club.

This comes with the opening of the Sengkang Floating Wetland on Sunday, a floating structure built in a stretch of the Punggol Reservoir near the CC.

The wetland, which is connected by bridges to two banks of the reservoir, also provides a sanctuary for birds and fish.

Ms Tini, an administrative executive, said: 'It's a good idea to have a place nearby where we can enjoy walking next to the water, without having to travel too far.'

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who opened the wetland on Sunday, said it was part of ongoing efforts to revitalise Singapore's water bodies into clean, pleasant and bustling community spaces for the benefit of residents.