SINGAPORE: More than 700 students and residents in
the east visited the newly-opened Tampines Eco Green on Sunday to
learn about the flora, fauna and eco-friendly features
there.
The visit was organised by the National Parks Board
(NParks) to mark the International Year of Forests and Earth
Day.
There were interactive activities such as guided
walks to promote a deeper appreciation of the natural
environment.
Advisers to Tampines Grassroots Organisations Mah Bow Tan, Masagos
Zulkifli, Irene Ng, Ong Kian Min, Sin Boon Ann, as well as special
guests, Steve Tan and Heng Swee Keat joined the students and
residents.
Assistant CEO (Parks Management and Lifestyle) of NParks, Mr Kong
Yit San, said the development of Tampines Eco Green is in line with
NParks' efforts to provide a park for everyone and enhance the
quality of life for residents.
He said the new park, which provides a tranquil sanctuary for
nature recreation and education, complements two existing ones in
the vicinity.
One is Sun Plaza Park, which offers amenities for community
activities. The other is Tampines Bike Park, which provides an
adventure cycling trail.
Tampines Eco Green is a haven for biodiversity and has various
natural habitats such as marshes, secondary rainforests and
freshwater ponds.
It has features such as a viewing platform, an eco-toilet,
vegetated swales (natural drainage system that traps particulate
pollutants), bird hides and green roofs on all the rest
shelters.
A notable feature is its eco-friendly design. All park furniture,
including signage, benches, bird hides and hedges, were made using
recycled materials and environmentally-friendly labelled
products.
It also has an eco-toilet, which is the first of its kind in a
public park in Singapore. It breaks down human waste using bacteria
and wood shavings and converts it into compost.
With a good ventilation system, the toilet is odour-free and
waterless.
Biodegradable cleaning agents will be used to maintain toilet
hygienic.
-CNA/ac