17 Nov Top 15 Parks To Explore & Bond With Your Loved Ones
Taking a walk in nature is an inexpensive and accessible form of exercise that has been shown to provide several health benefits such as:
- Improved Mood
Nature walks are linked to enhanced mental health and positivity, and can significantly decrease levels of depression, anxiety and stress
- Improved Focus
Interacting with nature gives the brain a break from overstimulation, which reduces mental fatigue. As a result, attention levels and memory performance are increased, which boosts productivity levels
- Strengthened Immunity
Taking frequent nature walks increases anti-cancer proteins in the body, with a lasting effect of at least 7 days
Singapore may be small, but there are plenty of parks and nature reserves to explore! We’ve prepared a list of Top 15 Parks To Explore And Bond With Your Loved Ones below:
1) Singapore Botanic Gardens
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
- Singapore’s first UNESCO Heritage Site
- Visit the National Orchid Garden (the world’s largest orchid display)
- Take a walk along Swan Lake
Opening Hours:
Singapore Botanic Gardens – 5am to 12am daily
National Orchid Garden – 8.30am to 7pm daily
2) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
(Source: Flickr)
- Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park
- 202 hectares of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests
- Download your walking trail brochure here
Opening Hours:
7am to 7pm daily
THE SOUTHERN RIDGES
10km of green, open spaces that connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. View The Southern Ridges Walking Guide here. Perfect for the after class walk if you attend classes at Telok Blangah studio.
3) Mount Faber Park
(Source: Sgwalkingroutes)
- One of the oldest parks in Singapore
- 40 hectares of forested area
- Panoramic viewpoint of Sentosa and other southern islands
Opening/Lighting Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
4) Telok Blangah Hill Park
(Source: Yoursingapore)
- Consists of Forest Walk, Henderson Waves (274 metre-long pedestrian bridge) and Terrace Garden
- Choose from 2 Trails at the Forest Walk: Elevated Walkway or Earth Trail
- Enjoy a breath-taking 360-degree view of Singapore at the Terrace Garden
Opening/Lighting Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
5) Hort Park
(Source: Yoursingapore)
- One-stop gardening resource centre
- Enjoy gardening activities organised for the public every month
- Be at the upcoming Gardeners’ Day Out (5th & 6th Dec 2015), which features a Gardeners’ Market, Food Bazaar, and a free garden tour of Hort Park
Opening Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
6) Kent Ridge Park
(Source: Flickr)
- Historical park where one of the last battles for Singapore was fought during WWII
- Consists of natural vegetation and a high biodiversity of wildlife
- Features the Canopy Walk (280 metres long elevated boardwalk)
Opening Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
7) Labrador Nature Reserve
(Source: Flickr)
- Home to the only coastal cliff in Singapore
- Enjoy a picturesque view of the sea
- Features the mildly challenging Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk
- View Labrador Nature Reserve Walking Guide here
Opening Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
8) Gardens By The Bay
(Source: BCA)
- Features 18 Supertrees (light shows at 7.45pm & 8.45pm daily)
- Free admission for Bay South Outdoor Gardens, Dragonfly Lake and Heritage Gardens
- Admission fees required for OCBC Skyway ($5) and Flower Dome/Cloud Forest ($28)
- Plan your trip to Gardens By The Bay here
Opening/Lighting Hours:
Bay South Outdoor Gardens – 5am to 2am daily
Flower Dome/Cloud Forest – 9am to 9pm daily
OCBC Skyway – 9am to 9pm daily
9) Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
(Source: Straits Times)
- ASEAN Heritage Park, Singapore’s tallest hill
- Home to 40% of our nation’s flora and fauna
- Public access is currently limited for 2 years as the park is now undergoing restoration works
- View Summit Trail here
Opening Hours:
Saturdays & Sundays only
7am – 6pm (last entry 5pm)
10) Dairy Farm Nature Park
(Source: Youtube)
- A variety of trails in this 63 hectare park
- Features the Wallace Trail and Singapore Quarry
- View Dairy Farm Nature Park Guide here
11) Macritchie Tree Top Walk
(Source: Yoursingapore)
- 250 metre long freestanding suspension bridge that connects the 2 highest points in Macritchie
- Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the forest
- View Macritchie Tree Top Walk Guide here
Opening Hours:
Weekdays – 9am to 6pm
Weekends – 8.30am to 5pm
Closed on Mondays
12) Coney Island
(Source: Mothership.sg)
- 50-hectare ecologically sustainable park that focuses on energy/water conservation
- Explore the forest and mangrove habitats on the boardwalk and 5 beach areas
- Keep a look-out for the cow on Coney Island!
Opening Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
13) Bukit Batok Town Park
(Source: Tripadvisor)
- Also known as “Little Guilin” or “Xiao Guilin” as it looks similar to that of Guilin in China
- Features towering rock cliffs and a tranquil lake
Opening Hours:
7pm to 7am daily
14) Park Connector Network (PCN)
(Source: gypsy70.blogspot.com)
- PCN consists of a 300km island-wide network that links up major residential areas, parks, and nature sites
- Go park-hopping while indulging in various fun and recreational activities
- Find the list of PCN near you here
15) Heritage Trails
(Source: joyloh.blogspot.com)
- Discover Singapore’s heritage and the untold stories behind the streets and landmarks of Singapore
- Select your heritage trail here
Not sure what to do this weekend? Enjoy the benefits of nature and take a walk in the park with your loved ones! Don’t forget to gear up with a proper pair of running shoes, umbrella/poncho in case of wet weather, natural insect repellent such as citronella oil and lotsa water.
Share your beautiful pictures at these places with us by tagging @sgpilatesfitness!
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