EAST COAST PARK AND CHANGI BEACH PARK (Development of recreational facilities)

Mr Philip Tan Tee Yong asked the Minister for National Development how much land has been developed with proper bathing facilities in East Coast Park and at Changi Beach and how much more land will be developed for recreation in these two places.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the total areas of East Coast Park and Changi Beach Park are 206 hectares and 12 hectares respectively. Both parks have vast stretches of beaches which can be used for swimming.

The East Coast Park has nine facilities with changing rooms, showers and toilets and another four toilet facilities. The Changi Beach Park has two facilities with toilets and showers. The Parks and Recreation Department conducts periodic surveys on the intensity of usage of these facilities. As a result of a survey conducted in 1986, plans have been finalized to improve the bathing facilities at some of these points. The improvement works which will result in more shower rooms and changing facilities are scheduled to commence in August 1987 and be completed by March 1988.

All the land currently earmarked for park development at Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park have been fully developed. There is no plan at present to develop more parkland at these two places.