Seletar to Yishun, taking in Rower's Bay Park

Hampstead Wetlands Park

This is Singapore's first wetlands sanctuary in an industrial park - jointly developed by JTC Corporation and the National Parks Board. Surrounded by boardwards, the freshwater ecosystem supports a variety of flora and fauna, generally of the feathered kind (although flocks of homo sapiens sporting telephoto lens, tripods and binoculars often descend here on weekends).

Hampstead Wetlands Park

Snags and the habitat islands are essential parts of the wetland’s ecology, providing birds and other wildlife with shelter, nesting spots and resting grounds away from human disturbances and predators.

Hampstead Wetlands Park

Waypoint

The Oval at Hyde Park Gate Area is the first phase of The Oval @ redeveloped Seletar Aerospace Park. Of the former colonial houses, 32 have been slated for conservation and redevelopment as part of The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park. This lifestyle enclave plays host to bazaars and carnivals, with conserved bungalows housing restaurants, spas and shops.

Heritage Trees

A smogasboard of heritage trees; a total of nine broad-leafed mahoganies with heritage tree status can be found at Seletar Airport (five), Tanglin (one) and Sentosa (three). The ones at Seletar were planted when the Seletar West Camp was developed in the 1930s. Introduced to Malaya and Singapore from Central and South America in 1876, the broad-leafed mahogany, a native from Honduras, has been a popular roadside tree. It possesses a dense crown of dark glossy leaves, and can grow up to 30m tall. Its small flowers are greenish-yellow in colour and have a faint scent. The fruits are large brown woody pods of about 10 to 15cm long. When ripe, they split open to release dozens of flat winged seeds.

A view of the park connector

This forms the northern part of the round island route (RIR), and many cyclists can be seen on the roads here.

The southern end of Seletar Airport

Seletar Airfield was the British Royal Air Force’s main base in the Far East, and equipped to protect Singapore’s naval base in Sembawang. Seletar Airport now operates as a general aviation airport, mainly for chartered flights, private aircraft operations and training purposes.

Part of the JTC industrial estate

A view of the park connector

Note the sheltered walkway, which is shaped a like an aeroplane wing with airlerons at the leading edge...

Park connector, RIR

Park connector, RIR

The plantings are more varied here, although you do have the Seletar West Link whizzing along on the left..

A view of Singapore Youth Flying Club

Park connector, RIR

Park connector, RIR

Park connector, RIR

Just before we turn for Rower's Bay Park

Rower's Bay Park

Rower's Bay Park at Lower Seletar Reservoir is named for the reservoir's popularity with kayaking and dragon-boating enthusiasts. The park is a little bit less accessible than other parks - there are no official parking spaces, but there is a bus stop nearby. Cyclists flock here at sunrise or sunset in Singapore. The park has sections of boardwalk with some great waterside views. For those who absolutely must have civilization, there are vending machines and toilets!

Rower's Bay Park

Across Yishun Dam

Yishun Dam – a.k.a. Seletar Dam – is used to separate the fresh water of Lower Seletar Reservoir from the salt water in the Johore Strait.

Leading to Yishun

Flora

World Academy

Nee Soon East park

Rambutan tree

These line the street of Yishun..

Entering Yishun Park

Developed on an old rubber estate, Yishun Park is home to an array of tropical fruit trees and natural vegetation. As a plantation, Yishun Park was planted with fruit trees and rubber trees. When converted into a park, many of the trees were retained including durian, rambutan, jackfruit trees, and even rubber trees, from its plantation days.

Flora

Tree

Tree

Yishun Park

Yishun Park

the intersection that leads to Yishun Pond Park lookout

SAFRA treetop walk..

Tai Chi at Yishun Park

The end

..with a cup of coffee awaiting at Yishun Hawkers Centre