30.9 C
Singapore
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeSports & RunsRunning RoutesSeletar Reservoir nature park exploration

Seletar Reservoir nature park exploration

Let’s do an exploration of the Seletar Reservoir nature park today with a walk through and exploration of the area, checking out the sights and sounds.

Sunset at Seletar Reservoir over looking the Mandai and natural reserve in the distance
Sunset at Seletar Reservoir over looking the Mandai and natural reserve in the distance.

Furthermore, park sits on far east bank of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. It is one of the few places in Singapore still yet untouched by urban development. It is also a place of refuge from the concrete jungle. In addition, the place was opened by Princess Alexandra on 1969 and is also known for their iconic rocket shaped observation tower.

upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-07
Reservoir
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-18
Jetty
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-08
Vegetation

Getting to Seletar Reservoir nature park

Moreover, getting to the Seletar Reservoir nature park involves a short route through some narrow roads and green spaces. This includes a golf driving range small road called Mandai road track 7. It is accessible from the Mandai road arterial road and passes an entry road under the SLE highway. Also, the route passes along a small narrow trail road passing by the Mandai Executive Golf Course before coming to an uphill clearing and public carpark area.

upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-05
Rear car park
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-13
Tower
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-15
Tower in sunset

Additionally, Upper Seletar Reservoir park, despite its remote location is frequented by runners, and dog walkers. The spot only accessible by private transport and private hire cars. Also, the park is well served by 3 public carparks offering free parking. With the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park Car Park B being the closest to the iconic viewing tower.

Runners, dog walker and photographers here at Seletar Reservoir
Runners, dog walker and photographers here at Seletar Reservoir.

Climbing up the rocket tower

The top of the Seletar Rocket Tower viewed from the bottom
The top of the Seletar Rocket Tower viewed from the bottom.

Furthermore, the ambience up here is largely chill and quiet, albeit chatter from enthusiastic park goers or barking dogs. The tower sits on an elevated highland area of the park, which towers above the carpark area. A short gradient climb towards the tower bring you to the tower foot and small pavilion clearing area with the main park signage.

upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-10
Opening plaque
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-09
Staircase
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-17
Entrance

The entrance at the bottom of the tower has a small shelter space leads up a meter-wide spiral staircase up is an interior compact one with no intermediate floors. Also, the external facade is clad with a mix of metal panelling and thin glass windows. It was built in the typical 70s vibes similarly seen in the Jurong hill park.

upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-20
Tower
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-03
Top gate
upper-seletar-reservoir-rocket-tower-02
At top

Moreover, the area is secluded and rustic on its own. Quiet and free from traffic noise with the background chipping of birds and the occasional flock of birds crossing by.

Views at the top

View on the left towards the South end side of Seletar Reservoir
View on the left towards the South end side of Seletar Reservoir.

Additionally, the tower is thin and shaped like a rocket. Tall, slender with a pointed top and observation balcony on the top floor. The top of the tower has a balcony offering a full 360 view of the Reservoir and nature reserve area. Past a small lockable door at the top brings you up to the top viewing deck. The top deck is not sheltered from the elements and linted with thin handrails overlooking the top overlooking balcony.

Panorama of Seletar Reservoir park at the top of the Rocket Tower

upper-seletar-reservoir

From the top, to your left the road runs along the banks of the Reservoir which ends as a dead end with a U-turn point. The roads here Isa popular jogging route as well as dog walkers. The path here is a Reservoir service road which serves a boat jetty used by the Pub for Reservoir service works.

View on the north, on the right hand side of the Rocket tower at the road leading towards Mandai Road and busstop serving the park
View on the north, on the right hand side of the Rocket tower at the road leading towards Mandai Road and busstop serving the park.

Also, on the right the road runs towards Mandai road, which has a small carpark and mini park with a bus stop served by bus service 138. Also, right in front of the tower is the Mandai Nature Reserve Singapore zoo. Though it is hard make up much of the zoo by the surrounding vegetation. Towards the rear of the tower is where the park’s carpark reside.

View of the Seletar reservoir with the small green clearing and hut by the water body
View of the Seletar reservoir with the small green clearing and hut by the water body.

The more spectacular side is the view facing the Seletar reservoir. Here, a lone tree sits on a grass opening right in front of the tower. Notably, this lone tree by the Reservoir is a popular item in many wedding photos of couples. The tree sits adjacent to a small tiled roof shelter overlooking the waters in a patch of green.

That's all folks
That’s all folks.

All in all, that wraps up our visit to Seletar Reservoir. The park is not at all large and you probably be good or an hour or at most two with nature. It can get rather busy too, especially on weekends. Still, a nice escape from the Singapore urban concrete jungle.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles