Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Trees along Tampines park connector are safety hazards in disguise

Trees along Tampines park connector are safety hazards in disguise
STOMPer Cyclist noted that the trees along the Tampines park connector were potential safety hazards. For example, he saw some with protruding roots that could trip people. Says the STOMPer:

"The Tampines park connector runs from Pasir Ris Park to Bedok Reservoir Road where it joins up with the Bedok park connector.

"This tree found at Pasir Ris Town Park has strange roots, some of which grow above the ground and thus creating a space between the root and the ground.

"The Tampines park connector has some coconut trees which are planted too close to the walkway.

"If a coconut drops on the head of a jogger or a cyclist it could cause grievous bodily harm.

"I hope the Town Council and NParks will refrain from planting coconut trees too near the path.

"I also spotted these M-shaped stone seats along the path. They look beautiful and is welcome by all cyclists and joggers."

Trees along Tampines park connector are safety hazards in disguise
Trees along Tampines park connector are safety hazards in disguise

Related posts: This cactus plant at Kembangan is a danger to passersby (6th June 2009)
Sharp leaves are danger to residents and passersby (30th May 2009)
'Dangerous' plants removed from polyclinic grounds (14th April 2009)
Dangerous plants at polyclinic, says STOMPer (2nd April 2009)
Be careful the next time you're at Clarke Quay (12th March 2009)
Why plant chilli in area accessible by kids? (11th March 2009)
Dead leaves dangling from palm tree can crack your skull! (28th January 2009)

While the risk of getting injured by a falling coconut is very real, I wonder if the person who submitted this was being just a little bit overly paranoid. It's unlikely that a person on the walkway would get struck by a coconut, unless he or she was on the grass and standing directly beneath the tree. And I'm sure most of us know better than to stand beneath a heavily laden coconut tree.