New 10 hectare Bidadari Park to be completed in 2022

SINGAPORE — Residents of Bidadari estate can look forward to a new regional park in 2022, announced the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on Sunday (May 5).

The 10 hectare park will feature a lake, open lawns, a 700 metre heritage walk and six kilometres of wooded experiential trails for nature lovers to observe flora and fauna.

It will also have a greenway which will extend out from the park and connect to other public spaces within Bidadari.

The park is a multi-agency collaboration between HDB, national water agency PUB and the National Heritage Board (NHB).

When completed, it will be twice the size of Toa Payoh Town Park and take up more than a tenth of the 93 ha land in the estate.

FIRST UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR

The Bidadari estate will also feature Singapore’s first underground service reservoir which stores drinking water to regulate supply to homes and boost water pressure during periods of high demand.

The service reservoir tank will be built beneath the community lawn in Bidadari Park to optimise land use, creating more green spaces for residents to enjoy.

To encourage exploration and play, the estate will also feature a play area with a 5m-tall treehouse. Beside the play area, two green lawns of about 5,000 sq m — where residents can organise community activities such as taiqi and picnics — will also be incorporated into the park.

The HDB said that a network of different paths for walking, running and cycling will also be constructed to connect the various park features. Access to the park from Woodleigh MRT and neighbouring housing developments will also include gentle slopes, handrail and an underpass.

When fully developed, Bidadari estate is expected to have about 10,000 residential units.

Since November 2015, HDB has launched some 6,100 flats in seven new-generation public housing projects such as Alkaff Lakeview, Alkaff Oasis, Woodleigh Glen and Woodleigh Village. The apartments were well-received by potential buyers, averaging about five applicants for each flat.

PARK FOR NATURE LOVERS

In keeping with the concept of a rustic and wooded park, 350 mature trees, including the Tembusu trees — a heritage tree native to Singapore that bears white flowers that turn yellow with age and fruits that look like tiny red berries — were retained, said the HDB.

Observation decks, viewing sheds and pavilions scattered around the park are inspired by the structure of bird’s nests. Artist Impression: Housing & Development Board

Bird lovers will also be able to watch migratory birds at the new park. As Bidadari is a “favoured spot” for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, the HDB had discussed methods to enrich the biodiversity in the estate with the Nature Society (Singapore).

The agency also took on board suggestions to retain a 1 ha hillock as a stopover site for migratory birds and serve as a refuge for birds. It will form part of the larger network of greenery and open spaces within the estate.

The HDB will also be constructing a 19m-wide land bridge to serve as an eco link from Bidadari Park to Hillock Park, which provides a safe passage for visitors and wildlife across Bidadari Park Drive.

Structures such as Raptor nest platforms will be set up within the park as an interim measure for birds that prefer to perch on tall trees, while the new tree canopy grows.

The rest of the developments in Bidadari will be launched progressively and the details will be announced when they are finalised.