As we all know, many roads in Singapore were named after our early pioneers, be it merchants or philanthropists. With that, it is only fair that our lion-spotting founder (finally) had a namesake in our streets as well.
In 2019, Sang Nila Utama Road was announced to replace the existing Vernon Park Road as part of the Master Plan mapped out for Bidadari’s enhancements. And recently on 25th September, this lane was finally partially open, with it fully functional in the first half of 2024. The 250m long street will cut through Bidadari Park and the Gurkha Cantonment to link Mount Vernon Lane to Mount Vernon Road.
Yet Sang Nila Utama Road is not the only new addition to the Bidadari Estate this year. According to the 2013 Master Plan, Bidadari residents should anticipate an estate brimmed with rich heritage and a strong sense of identity. In this article, we will explore the upcoming additions of Bidadari, such as the Heritage Walk and renewed Bidadari Park, to showcase the exciting personality of this estate as it transformed from a reverent cemetery to an inclusive neighbourhood.
A Green Oasis with Bidadari Park
The beloved Bidadari Park was temporarily closed in 2019 for redevelopment and is expected to open later this year. Before its closure, it was a hotspot not just for nature enthusiasts or wildlife lovers but also for endangered migratory birds. Every winter, birds like Zappey’s Flycatcher and Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher, nest in our tropic jungles to wait out the wintery north, attracting wildlife photographers to tiptoe this spot in hopes to snap a glimpse of these rare guests.
Luckily for the birds and unluckily for photographers, the once 1ha park will be expanding to 10ha (about 15 football fields) with this redevelopment, giving the birds more space and photographers a tougher time spotting them. Despite the expansion, HDB has reassured that they will “retain as much of Bidadari’s natural woodland as possible”, planning for footpaths in areas with the least amount of vegetation and preserving more than 350 trees, including a century-old tembusu tree.
This green space will take up 10% of the estate with trails connecting seamlessly through the multiple residential blocks and observation decks for residents to view the spectacular biodiversity right at their doorsteps. But the most massive transformation of this space is the restoration of Alkaff Lake.
Drained and levelled in 1964, the area where the lake will swim once again used to be an open space and playground for the residents of Sennett Estate, Singapore’s first private enterprise development built after World War II. Similarly, the lake aims to be a communal space for the residents of Bidadari to gather. Functionally, it will also serve as a retainer for stormwater to prevent floods (which have been very prevalent lately). The lake will slow down and reduce stormwater runoff into the public drainage system as the excess stormwater will be discharged to Marine Reservoir.
On the other hand, during the dry seasons when the tide is low, residents will be able to take a good look at the unique rain tree island planted in the middle of the lake. The wide tree will provide good shade and respite (away from humans) for water birds, showcasing the inclusivity of Bidadari not just for humans but also for our winged neighbours. Complementarily, the bank’s gentle terrains will also make the lake the ideal spot for bird-watching and picnicking.
Memories Laced within the Heritage Walk
In addition to the lake, the Bidadari Master Plan also includes a 700m Heritage Walk that cuts through the park. This trail intends to enhance a pedestrianised Upper Aljunied Road to include a canopy of mature trees and storyboards retelling the history and tales of Bidadari’s rich heritage.
Although the exact details of the storyboards have not been released at this time of writing, we sure hope they would acknowledge all the historical roles Bidadari played, from the Alkaff’s family home to a site of contestation during the period of Konfrantasi.
The Woodleigh Mall: Convenience for All
Adjacent to the park and all its enticing features will stand a brand new mixed-use development – The Woodleigh Residence and Mall. Slated to finally complete in the second half of 2022, residents from the surrounding 10,000+ Bidadari dwellings will be in for a treat. Although this building also serves as a residence, its mall’s facilities are publicly accessible and have much to offer.
The Woodland Residences and Mall serves many purposes, not only does it house the community centre, but it is also the site of the neighbourhood police centre, two essentials of any neighbourhood. The mall integrates your needs and concerns into one space to serve convenience. With a floor dedicated to enrichment centres and medical facilities and a large supermarket, the mall is one stop for all and an essential step in shaping Bidadari to be a self-sufficient estate.
Even if The Woodleigh Mall is not within walking distance from your Bidadri abode, the mall offers many facilities that boost its accessibility. The MRT is directly connected through the basement and there is also a linkway to the underground bus interchange situated within the mall as well. And if you are driving, you will not have to worry about competing with residents, as commercial and residential parking are on different levels, leaving plenty of parking spots for you. In that sense, the mall is envisioned to take care of residents in the general Bidadari district, far and near.
Bidadari “A District of the Future”
The future is now, seize it. Bidadari has moved on from its reputation as a reverent cemetery to embrace the needs of the future without forgetting its heritage. Pockets of reminder of the rich history this place used to harbour have been incorporated into the many green spaces that residents will be able to enjoy later this year. Besides living amidst nature, residents will also experience increased convenience with the opening of The Woodleigh Residences and Mall, as it compacts all your needs under one roof.
As such, despite being more than half through with the year, 2022 still remains an exciting year for Bidadari residents. If you are feeling FOMO, feel free to reach out to us, and we will set you up with a perfect place to experience all these new changes you stand to enjoy. Till our next trip down memory lane~
