Coughing hills? That’s one way to describe the origin of Bukit Batok’s name. But the story of Bukit Batok Town Park is far more captivating than just a description.
Bukit Batok Town Park is a nature park. It is located in the Guilin precinct of Bukit Batok. Locals affectionately call it Little Guilin or Xiao Guilin. The park owes its unique beauty to its past. It was once a disused granite quarry.
The area’s name, Bukit Batok, might come from the sounds of quarrying. Bukit means “hill” in Malay. Batok could mean “cough,” reflecting the noises of the granite mine. Another theory suggests that “batok” is a mispronunciation of “batu.” Batu means “stone” in Malay. This would be a nod to the area’s hills and quarries.
The quarrying threatened the local ecology. So, the government decided to close the quarries. They began importing granite from Indonesia. Rainwater gradually filled the abandoned quarry. It transformed it into a mini lake.
In 1984, the Housing and Development Board planned to build a road over the quarry. But they recognized the scenic potential of the rugged granite. They saw green hills. Instead, they converted the quarry into a park. Granite blocks were added to the retaining walls. Footpaths, lighting, and seating were installed. The park’s resemblance to Guilin’s mountains in China inspired its nickname. Locals started calling it “Little Guilin”.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority linked Bukit Batok Town Park and other nature parks in 1996. They used park connectors to connect it to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. They wanted to enhance the residential landscape.
Bukit Batok Town Park is located along Bukit Batok East Avenue 5. It is more than just a pretty place. It has served as a stage for Chinese opera and dance performances. It is a tourist destination. Some say that the park is haunted by those who died in quarry accidents or drowned in the lake.
The 42-hectare Bukit Batok Town Park features two dome-shaped shelters. These shelters provide protection from the sun and rain.
The park is divided into three sections. The left section features trees, grassy plains, and stone seats. The middle section has a shelter with stone benches. The right section mirrors the middle section with a similar shelter. A bus stop is located right next to this section of the park.
Photographers, anglers, picnickers, and joggers frequent Bukit Batok Town Park. The park is designated with the code 9V-0006 by the Parks On The Air award program. Amateur radio operators use portable equipment there regularly.
The Bukit Gombak Trail was once part of Bukit Batok Town Park. It was a nature walk with directional signposts. It offered aerial perspectives of the lake. Landslides in 2007 led to its permanent closure.
Bukit Batok Town Park is a five-minute walk from Bukit Gombak MRT station. Bus services 945 and 871 also provide access.
Bukit Batok Town Park stands as a testament to Singapore’s ability to transform industrial sites into places of beauty. The park offers a unique blend of natural landscapes and cultural history.