Sassy Mama Field Trip: Punggol Waterway Park

A haven for scooters, birdwatchers, and sunset-lovers alike, Punggol Waterway Park is a fab spot to explore with the kiddos, mama!

I “discovered” the then-newly opened Punggol Waterway Park, AKA Waterway@Punggol, a 4.2-kilometer long, manmade canal that connects the Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon reservoirs, in 2011, but had not ventured back since, despite frequenting nearby Pasir Ris. In 2011, I asked, “Who knows how much longer this area will stay relatively undeveloped? Blink and this city transforms itself.” Nearly five years on, surrounding Punggol New Town, a sprawling housing estate on the edges of the island, has grown, ever-encroaching on acres and acres of lush, tropical secondary forest.

My parents are currently visiting us from the United States, and decided that a view of those forests and brilliant gas flares from nearby oil refineries, a beautiful juxtaposition of organic and industrial shapes, as well as a visit to Punggol Waterway Park would be a wonderful way to while away a Saturday afternoon.

We scooted along the paved promenade on both sides of the waterway and admired the view. We crossed the Adventure Bridge again and again. We did a bit of birdwatching; sunbirds and shrikes and bee-eaters abound. And my 4-year-old, of course, spent a significant time in the compact water playground! Finally, we caught the sunset near Punggol Waterway Park—at the aptly-named Sunset Strip.

Though we didn’t cycle on this visit to the park, you can reach beautiful Punggol Jetty Park from Punggol Waterway Park via National Parks’ Park Connector Network. From here, you can walk along Punggol Point Walk, a winding boardwalk from where one can see Pulau Serangoon and Pulau Ubin, towards Punggol Beach. It was here, in 1942, that 200 Chinese civilians were killed as part of the Sook Ching Massacre.

All the details!
Getting There: We occasionally rent a car on the weekends to explore the more ulu parts of the island. However, Punggol Waterway Park is accessible by public transport. Take the LRT from Punggol MRT Station to Damai LRT Station. Walk towards Punggol Road, and you will find a path heading to the waterway.
How much: Free!
Opening Hours: Daily from 7am to 7pm

Punggol Waterway Park, 10 Sentul Crescent, Singapore 828851

www.nparks.gov.sg