42km Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network launched
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 December 2007 0001 hrs

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SINGAPORE : For those who fancy taking a stroll, there is now a new 42-kilometre route that will take them from Changi beach, to East Coast Park and Bedok Reservoir.

That is now possible thanks to the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network.

It is a series of pedestrian and cycling paths that link up the parks in the east.

The 8-kilometre stretch between Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park is touted as one of the most scenic part of the network.

Twelve cyclists from the National Development Ministry were the first to try out the new route on Friday.

This same group is heading for a cycling expedition in New Zealand for charity.

The eastern loop is the first of seven to be built over the years.

By 2015, NParks hopes to construct 200km of park connectors - to date, half of that has been built.

More will be added beyond 2015.

NParks' eventual goal is to create a connector network linking up the whole of Singapore.

NParks said it has taken special care to preserve the natural environment.

Kalthom Abdul Latiff, Assistant Director, Park Connectors and Special Projects, NParks, said, "We try to preserve the rustic nature as much as possible. We do not want to change the ambience, (we want to) keep it rustic, so that people will get a different experience." - CNA/ms