Chinese Garden may look like a paradise, but take a closer look and you'll find all is not well, says a STOMPer. A polluted Jurong Lake and poorly maintained toilets are some of the iconic park's woes.
Here's what the STOMPer observed on a recent trip to the park:
"The twin pagodas of the Chinese garden can be seen from the Chinese Garden MRT station and they are a major landmark for tourists.
"But if you go near the twin pagodas you will be in for a rude shock as the water there is heavily polluted.
"If this pollution is not controlled the whole Jurong Lake will soon be contaminated and this will a dire threat to aquatic life.
"Also when I visited the male toilet in the Chinese Garden I was greeted with a stench of ammonia which made me feel nauseous.
"Out of 4 urinals , three were out of order and they were covered with a sheet of black plastic and taped over on the top and sides.
"There was a big notice that says 'WATERLESS URINAL SYSTEM' and if by saving water the end result was a repugnant odour then the management should do away with this system.
"This toilet is a far cry from the clean toilets which I had seen at the Gold Coast in Australia."
I'm sure that much of the floating debris was washed into the lake during the heavy rains that have been falling over the past few days. Of course, it should clear up after a while, although I am a little more concerned about the possible impact of the planned redevelopment that is going to take place in the area. Let's hope that the powers to be do adhere to their assurances that the new Jurong Lake District will be developed in a sensitive manner with minimal negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem.
