Pasir Ris Park
Having lived in Pasir Ris all my life, I’ve gotten into many rifts with friends from neighbouring estates over which is better. The winning card is always: Pasir Ris Park got beach. You have?
Facing Pulau Ubin and Tekong, Pasir Ris Park is one of the few seaside parks you can find in Singapore. Albeit not being the biggest, it’s a quaint little spot that is surprisingly accessible, being just a stone’s throw away from Pasir Ris MRT.
Boardwalks, birdwatching & maze gardens
Image credit: NParks
A joy to visit in especially in the mornings and evenings, Pasir Ris Park has lots to offer when it comes to unwinding in nature.
Image credit: Justin Lin
Perhaps one of the most popular spots among nature-lovers is the 6-hectare mangrove boardwalk, well-loved thanks to its lush greenery and variety of wildlife. The network of routes add up to about 1.5KM in length and takes visitors up close to mangrove breathing roots, wild cinnamon trees and wildlife like giant mudskippers, otters and pit vipers.
Spot members of the adorable “Pasir Ris otter family” roaming about.
Image credit: @chiffoncake87
Birdwatchers won’t be disappointed here either. The park is a popular spot among bird photographers, and it’s not uncommon to see folks armed with bucket hats and telescopic lenses camping out in the open. Species of birds you can spot here include the Little Egret, White Collared Kingfisher and Oriental Pied Hornbills.
Image credit: Pinterest
Fun fact: There’s also a one-eyed Buffy Fish Owl and a family of three Spotted Wood Owls that frequent the nearby car park and mangrove area at night. Listen out for their “hoo”s!
Image credit: Anshul Johri
The bridge near the entrance of the mangrove is a great nook to spot birds – but for a better view from above, there’s also the three-storey high Lookout Tower that’ll take you up into the height of the surrounding canopy of trees.
After letting loose in the mangroves, try getting lost at the park’s Maze Garden, a labyrinth of hedges to wander through. It’s not hard to find your way out but just in case you do get stuck, below is an aerial shot, shared by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean:
Image credit: @teocheehean
Note: The Maze Garden is currently closed until further notice.
And of course, you can’t miss the beach, which lines the park from one end to the other. Other than spotting islands across the sea, this is also a serene spot to chase the sunset or relax on one of the benches or breakwaters. Bike rentals are available to explore the shoreline on wheels too.
Image credit: @ppparrots
Playground, PAssion Wave & horse stables
Image credit: Buhay OFW sa Singapore
No SG park is complete without a playground. Have your kids enjoy the great outdoors here with Pasir Ris Park’s extensive play area with climbing nets, swings and plenty of slides to go around.
Not just a playground for kids, adventurous folks visiting the park can also have their fun at the PAssion WaVe @ Pasir Ris featuring rock climbing (from $48 for members and $68 for public) on their outdoor high wall. If water sports sounds more like your fun, also find dinghy sailing and kayaking here.
Image credit: Gallop Stable
Does the fun end there? Neigh.
Unbeknownst to many, Pasir Ris Park is home to Gallop Stable, a horseback riding centre that you can visit for free. For a more interactive experience, you can also feed their horses ($2) or try riding lessons (from $45). Proper gear will be provided – even ones for kids – so little ones can try it out as long as they are above 3 years old!
Visit Pasir Ris Park
Fun fact: Singapore has more than 350 nature parks – including the popular picks like MacRitchie or the Singapore Botanic Gardens. But for Easties looking for something less crowded and a little closer to home, visit Pasir Ris Park for a relaxing day out.
Getting there: Take the train to Pasir Ris MRT and walk 10 minutes to reach Pasir Ris Park.
For more heartland parks, read:
Cover image adapted from: Gallop Stable, NParks, TheSmartLocal
