Recently opened and made accessible to the public, Coney Island (previously known as Pulau Serangoon or Serangoon Island) Park has become a hot attraction in Singapore. And if you love nature and tranquility, I would strongly recommend that you pay Coney Island Park a visit to relax and get away from it all.
Coney Island Park is a great place for nature lovers to visit.
Two link bridges connecting Coney Island to the mainland
Previously the only way to get to Coney Island Park has been by sea. But now, thanks to the two link bridges that connect the island to the mainland, visitors can simply walk there, via the two bridges.
You can now walk or cycle to Coney Island Park.
These two bridges are located at the island’s East Entrance (from Pasir Ris Coast Industrial Park 6, off Lorong Halus) and at the West Entrance (from The Punggol Settlement). And the walk from the East Entrance of the island to the West Entrance is about 2.4km.
Eager to visit Coney Island Park
I had been eager to visit Coney Island Park ever since I had heard about its opening. And I finally had a chance. Last weekend, after meeting for breakfast at Kovan, my friends and I took the MRT down to Punggol and then transferred onto the LRT to get to Riviera Station. We then subsequently walked about 4km towards the East Entrance of Coney Island Park.
One of the direction signages at Coney Island Park.
A hot and humid Sunday
I must admit that my face had felt pretty hot because I had a mask on due to the haze (the PSI level was about 130) and I felt that it was better to be safe rather than sorry.
Entering Coney Island Park through the East Entrance.
However after we had entered Coney Island Park, the time simply whizzed past for me and I was enjoying myself there so much, that I completely forgot all about the heat and the humidity. After all, it is so rare to come across a piece of nature and greenery that is as untouched as Coney Island Park, in today’s highly urbanised Singapore.
We’re finally at Coney Island Park!
Lots of other things to do on the pristine island
While we were strolling through Coney Island Park, admiring the lush nature and scenery and taking tons of pictures, we saw that there are plenty of things to be done on Coney Island Park.
Some of these include the following:
Walking and Running
Coney Island Park is great for walking or running.
Walking or running through the main path of Coney Island Park is beautiful. You get the chance to enjoy nature at its finest – a rarity in Singapore, and at the same time, to get away from the pressures of your daily life.
In fact, I would not be too surprised if someone comes up with the ‘Coney Island Run’ one day!
Cycling
Coney Island Park is also great for cycling
For visitors who prefer to get around on wheels instead of legs though, you can rent a bike at Punggol Promenade and cycle from one end of the island to the other. The main 2.4km path on the island is pretty flat and easy to cycle on, but if you wish to venture off the main path, then it may be better to park your bike and walk through the trails.
Traversing The Beaches
The beaches are beautiful and untouched by industrialisation
During our visit to Coney Island Park, my friends and I spent some of the time walking along the beaches. Altogether, there are three main beach areas (called Areas Aee, Bee and Cee) in Coney Island Park. I thought that it was really interesting to see these beaches, which are completely natural and untouched by man.
Is that a crab?
But I have a word of caution. Remember to bring insect repellent if you are going to visit the beaches, because there are lots of sandflies there – and they love to bite!
Admiring Flora and Fauna
Coney Island is home to plenty of flora and fauna.
Coney Island is home to lots of lovely flora and fauna. These include butterflies, lizards and mudskippers as well as Common Rhu trees and Lalang fields, as well as some endangered species like the Calophyllum Inophyllum plants.
So do look out for some of these amazing flora and fauna during your visit to Coney Island Park.
Bull Spotting
Yes there is a bull on Coney Island Park.
(Photo source: hpility.blogspot.com)
I have heard stories that there is a free-ranging bull living on Coney Island Park. Unfortunately I did not manage to spot it, but if you are lucky enough to do so, then be aware that you should not get too close to it, approach it or feed it. You should also not use flash photography, shout at or provoke the bull, as that will rile it up and may put you in danger.
The light-brown bull, with large ears, loose skin hanging down from its neck and a large hump on the shoulder area, is being taken care of by NParks and undergoes a veterinary check every six months. Its origins are a mystery, but it was sick and malnourished when it was found but has since been nursed back to full health.
Bird Watching
One of the bird-watching hideouts on Coney Island.
For those who love birds, there are more than 80 types of birds to see at Coney Island Park. These include Oriental Magpie Robins and Baya Weavers. Just stay silent and position yourself at one of the bird-watching hideouts all around the island and you should be able to soon see your flying feathery friends.
Exiting Coney Island
Coney Island is truly a natural paradise.
After just about more than two hours exploring the area, we exited Coney Island Park through the Punggol Settlement (West Entrance), where we had concluded with a late lunch and some ice cream to end a wonderful outing.
How to get to Coney Island
By Car – You can park your car at Punggol Settlement and walk about 700m through the coastal boardwalk and you will reach Coney Island Park’s West Entrance.
Alternatively you can drive to Pasir Ris Industrial Drive 6 through the Tampines Expressway, to reach the East Entrance of Coney Island Park. You can park at the Lorong Halus Wetlands area.
I had a memorable time at Coney Island Park despite the haze.
By Train/Bus – Take Bus 84 from Punggol MRT Station and get off at Punggol Road End. Follow the signs to The Punggol Settlement and walk about 700m through the coastal boardwalk to reach Coney Island Park.
Alternatively, you can also take the LRT to Riviera Station and walk about four plus kilometres to the East Entrance of Coney Island Park.
According to the NParks website, the opening hours for Coney Island Park are between 7am to 7pm.
Beware of the 7 pm closing time! The gate will be locked promptly regardless of who may still be on the island. There is no aural or other warning to visitors of gate closure. Many visitors had found themselves locked in after 7 pm. The responsible authority should review the current closing time, to change it to 9 pm or perhaps no closure is necessary at all!