Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park at sunset, with the Kallang River in the foreground.
Type	Neighbourhood park
Location	Bishan, Singapore
Coordinates	1°22′N 103°50′E / 1.367°N 103.833°E / 1.367; 103.833
Created	1988
Operated by	National Parks Board
Status	Opened

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (formerly known as Bishan Park) is a major park in Singapore, located in the popular heartland of Bishan. Serving the residents of Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, the park sits entirely within Bishan, running along the Ang Mo Kio–Bishan boundary line, which is situated at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. In the middle of the park lies the Kallang River, which channels through it in the form of a flat riverbed.

The park was constructed in 1988, and is one of the biggest and most popular parks in Singapore.

Amenities in the park include Aramsa Spa, a children's playground, a frequently-used dog run, a garden spa, cycling and running tracks, an inline skates rental outlet as well as a couple of food and beverage outlets. Many types of plants can be found in the park including the Chinese fan palm and Phoenix palm. A flower garden called Frangipani Garden and a vegetable garden called Green Vibes Garden accompany the scenic lakes and shaded lawns to offer some of the best relaxation spots for picnics and family gatherings.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the official opening of the ABC Waters@Kallang River-Bishan Park Project on 3 October 2009. The project, initiated by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the National Parks Board (NParks), will see the transformation of the existing canal into a natural meandering river upon completion. Slated to be completed in 2011, it will also include the construction of additional facilities such as a River Promenade and three new playgrounds.

Bishan Park was constructed to provide a buffer between Ang Mo Kio New Town and Bishan New Town. It was also envisioned as a leisure destination for residents ranging from children to nature-lovers, containing facilities such as a football field, a floating amphiteatre and a natural pond. Construction took place in two stages. The park, costing SGD$8.5 million to build, is one of the biggest park projects by the Housing Development Board at the time of its construction.

The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme was launched in 2006 to transform the country’s water bodies beyond their functions of drainage and water supply into beautiful and clean rivers and lakes with new spaces for community bonding and recreation. At the same time, it promotes the application of a new, water-sensitive urban design approach (also known as ABC Waters design features in Singapore) to managing rainwater sustainably. A long-term initiative, over 100 locations have been identified for project implementation in phases by 2030, with 20 projects already completed, bringing people closer to water. ABC Waters @ Kallang River – Bishan Park is one of the flagship projects under this programme. The park was due for major refurbishment and the Kallang River in the form of a concrete channel along the park edges was also due for upgrading to cater to increased rainwater runoff from the catchment due to urbanisation. Plans were thus made to carry out redevelopment works together, transforming Kallang River from a linear utilitarian concrete drainage channel into a meandering, natural river through the park.