Admiralty Park
Last Updated on 10 April 2023
Looking for some green space in the far north of the island to stretch those legs? Head over to Admiralty Park, the largest park in the north, located in the Woodlands area.
With a large nature area encompassing a diverse mix of secondary forest, mangrove forest and open grassland habitats situated on a hilly terrain, we hardly felt like we were in an urban park near a residential estate.
The sprawling rain trees lining the park path provide much appreciated shade on a typical hot and humid day.
The abundance of trees also means that the chance of spotting some birds would be high. At the park entrance, the first feathered friend to greet us was a rather pudgy Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus), a very common winter visitor that can be seen in every urban park during the winter migratory months from September to April.
Also there to meet us at the doorstep of his home was the Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus moluccensis), who was busy pecking the tree bark for insects.
On the next tree was the Pied Triller (Lalage nigra), who gave us a friendly welcome before he flitted off to go about his usual business.
Near the entrance of the park was a large and spacious playground that would keep any kid happily occupied – and happily out of their parents’ hair for a few hours. The park boasts to house the widest and the longest slide and also the most number of slides in any park in Singapore!
It’s no wonder there were kids everywhere…
…running amok and turning the place upside down.
After a while, we finally managed to extricate ourselves from the playful bunch…
…and the path opened up to a pretty lily pond surrounded by a variety of plants and shrubs.
Educational boards planted around the pond enlightened us on the rain garden, also known as a bioretention system, that was in front of us. The specially curated aquatic plants set up in the rain garden helped to filter iron oxides and other unwanted sediments from the stormwater that flows down the hilly terrain of the park, ensuring that only clean water flows into the pond.
Clean pond water helps promote biodiversity, and attracts many water birds such as the White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) to dwell and thrive there.
Other water birds that can be commonly seen here include the Striated Heron (Butorides striata)…
…the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)…
…and the Pond Heron (Ardeola sp.).
With a pond filled with fresh fish, it is not surprising to also see the White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) hanging around and waiting for a chance to nab a fresh catch.
A river – the Sungei Cina – flows along the spine of the park, and bridges running across the river provide excellent viewing spots to observe wildlife.
The lush greenery and dense tree foliage provide safe haven for a large variety of bird species, such as the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)…
…the Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)…
…the Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)…
…the Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans)…
…the Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)…
…and the Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicauda).
At the northern end of the park is a boardwalk that winds through the mangrove forest…
…and brings us closer into the mangrove swampy area…
…for a more intimate encounter with the swampy inhabitants.
From the northern end of Admiralty Park, we could either turn around and make our way back along the mangrove boardwalk, or continue on to Woodlands Waterfront Park.
Follow us as we continue on to explore this whole other exciting green space.
