East Coast Park 
From Singapore Hotels & Singapore Lifestyle
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East Coast Park (Chinese: 东海岸公园) is a beach park located on the southeastern coast of Singapore. It was opened in the 1970s, when the Government of Singapore completed reclaiming land off the coast at Katong which extends from Changi to Tanjong Rhu.
This Beach park stretches for more than 10km (6 miles) along the cost between Marina Bay and Changi International Airport. East Coast Park dwarfs all other Parks in Singapore at 185-hectares. It also draws the highest number of visitors - more than seven million - a year. And no wonder.
A thoroughly commedable use of reclaimed land, this seafront park is one of Singapore's most pleasant urban escapes, where Singaporeans come in their thousands to swim, windsurf, kayak, picnic on the sand, bicycle, rollerblade and, of course, eat. Fringed with casuarinas and coconut palms, East Coast Park affords superb views of ships anchored in the Singapore Strait. The sea breeze blows gently and it's peaceful enough for birds to flock to special tall-grass sanctuaries. The waves are inviting and the fresh sea air is an invigorating contrast to the still city heat and humidity. Swimming is pleasant here (don't expect crystal clear seas), but at least the water and beaches are clean.
East Coast Park is the playground for residents living in the eastern part of the island. Tai Chi practitioners can be seen exercising in the park as early as 6.00am, followed by joggers and cyclists. This is where toned teens stroll in chic beachwear as shirtless inline skaters zip past them. It is also one of the best places to ride a bicycle in Singapore, although it tends to get quite crowded on weekends. Picnic tables and barbecue pits are set up under the trees; there's also weekend camping. Families pitch tents at the beach and bond over barbecued chicken wings.
Along its sprawling 20km beachfront, you can find a hawker centre, bowling alleys, a golf driving range, Seafood Restaurants, Pubs, sea sport centres, bird sanctuaries, bicycle and inline skate rental stations and barbecue pits.
Renting a bicycle (or rollerblades) and gently pedalling from one end to the other, enjoying the sea breezes, watching the veritable city of container ships out in the Straits and capping it off with a meal and a few beachfront beers is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a Singapore afternoon.
On weekends, the park is packed and you can spend more time dodging other cycle track users than enjoying your surroundings, so try to visit on a weekday when it's much more sedate and enjoyable. The beach does tend to be crowded at the weekend, but there's always plenty of space for your beach towel in the coconut groves and wooded areas behind the shore.
The whole park has been superbly designed so that the surroundings constantly shift and change and the many leisure facilities don't crowd the green space. In this single, narrow strip, there are several bird sanctuaries, patches of unmanaged bushland, golf driving ranges, tennis courts, a resort, the Big Splash Water Fun Park, several ponds and a lagoon, sea sports clubs, Hawker Centres and some excellent bars and restaurants. At the array of seaside restaurants, Singaporeans gorge on chilli crab and other sumptuous seafood dishes.
Built about 30 years ago on reclaimed land, the park is still a trendy meeting spot for the young and old. In fact, there are plans for a S$160 million upgrade to add more carparks and a garden bridge, among other attractions.
This is also where President S R Nathan takes his daily 4km stroll.
It is a park that never sleeps.
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Sports
Bicycles can be hired from several kiosks along East Coast Park, including mountain bikes, children's and tandem models. Rentals cost about S$6 to S$8. There is a well-marked 12 km (7 mile) bike path along the coast, or you can go off-road" along the dirt and gravel trails of the reclaimed land beyond the western terminus of the bike path.
An increasing number of rollerbladers weave in and out of the bustling human traffic on weekends. Rollerblads can be rented from several kiosks as well but bring thick socks to avoid painful Blisters.
Other recreational diversions include tennis courts, a golf driving range, fitness courses and a 10-pin bowling alley.
Orientation
The East Coast Park starts at the end of Tanjong Katong Road in Katong and ends at the National Sailing Centre in Bedok, which is actually nearer to Tanah Merah MRT Station. At the western end of the park, the bicycle track continues right through to Geylang, ending at the Kallang River.
Notable Attractions
Eating
As always in Singapore, there are plenty of eating places, from burgers and pizza to mouth-watering local Seafood Cuisine.
Hawker Centre
Restaurants
East Coast Seafood Centre, Long Beach Seafood, Punggol Seafood
Visitors' Information
- Location: Along East Coast Parkway (ECP).
References
- "Our Green Havens", Pg. S6, Special Report, Little Green Dot, The Straits Times, Saturday, January 28, 2006
