Eco-garden brings nature closer to residents, workers in Jurong

SINGAPORE — Walking trails, a butterfly garden and a freshwater swamp are among the amenities Jurong West residents and workers at JTC Corporation’s CleanTech Park in Boon Lay can now enjoy, with the launch of a 5ha eco-garden — the size of five football fields — within the business park.

Opened yesterday by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Jurong Eco-Garden features a Summit Lookout at the highest point of the park, as well as streams and ponds around it.

Said Mr Leow Thiam Seng, JTC’s director for the Aerospace, Marine and CleanTech Cluster at the park yesterday: “When we first planned for this place, we discovered that there’s a rich biodiversity here and, with the two dragon kilns, the whole idea became very intuitive. So we decided to position it as an eco-park for the whole CleanTech Park. We hope that the residents can use this opportunity to be more exposed and nearer to biodiversity.”

The freshwater swamp has been enhanced so it can capture 65 per cent of the rainwater run-off in the area. The water is then filtered and recycled to be used in the park, such as for general outdoor washing, flushing the toilets and irrigating the plants.

The park also features materials from JTC’s other projects, such as excavated rocks from the Jurong Rock Caverns, which can be seen in the swales, gabion walls and the Summit Lookout. Two sculptures were also commissioned for the park — a ceramic piece using a mix of clay taken from the site and a carved stone piece using excavated rocks from the Jurong Rock Caverns.

Mr Gan said the eco-garden gives the community more green space to explore, discover and reconnect with nature. “Beyond just being passive green spaces, the Jurong Eco-Garden can become a focal point for community interaction. It will cater to a myriad of recreational activities. You can come here to do some bird-watching, conduct your physical exercises or simply just take leisurely strolls and enjoy the lush greenery here. Schools can also enjoy this eco-garden as another destination for field trips,” he said.

Mr Mike Goh, a 46-year-old engineer who works at the business park, appreciates having the eco-garden so near his workplace. “I’m glad that this park is very near the office so ... I can actually take a break in the park and enjoy the greenery.”