The only natural hot spring park in Singapore, Sembawang Hot Spring Park is now open to the public.
Reopened by the National Parks Board (NParks), the enhanced park features a new cascading pools and a water collection point.
In a press statement, NParks said it tapped on and retained the ‘kampung-like’ environment and a community spirit in the design of this unique park.
There were also enhanced accessibility for wheelchair users, and educational panels for visitors to learn about Singapore’s only hot spring park’s history and geology.
In designing the park, NParks incorporated feedback from the community – including having a F&B outlet, an activity lawn, toilets and ensuring the park remains rustic and natural.
Enhanced features
To bring the geothermally heated groundwater closer to visitors, new features such as the Cascading Pool, the Water Collection Point and the Educational Zone have been specially designed.
Located at the heart of the park is the Cascading Pool, where water cools naturally as it flows down four tiers of pools. Visitors can enjoy a foot bath at the pool.
The Main Water Collection Point allows visitors of all ages to collect water readily, and even cook eggs using a separate receptacle at this station. Children can safely engage in sensory play with the warm spring water at the Educational Zone, and learn about the groundwater cycle through interpretative panels.
The park’s accessibility has also been improved to be more inclusive, with wheelchair-friendly ramps and a specially designed tap at the Water Collection Point for the disabled.
Enriching the kampung spirit
Plants reminiscent of old kampung life have been planted around the park.
Upon entering the park at the new Floral Walk, park users will see fruit trees and edible plants commonly found in kampungs, and flowers commonly seen in the 1960s and 1990s. The rustic environment is further enhanced by unpaved paths and naturalised streams flowing from the hot spring, which mimics the freshwater swamp forest landscape.
There are seating areas sheltered by planted trellises featuring flowering creepers such as the Elephant Climber (Argyreia nervosa). The public can also learn more about the history of the site and geothermal processes behind the formation of a hot spring through interpretative signs at locations of interest.