Singapore Sports Hub launches first sports, art and heritage walking trail
The Singapore Sports Hub has launched the first sports, art and heritage walking trail titled The Kallang Story: A Sports, Arts and Heritage Trail. The walking trail is a community project supported by the National Heritage Board (NHB) in partnership with Sport Singapore and Republic Polytechnic. The launch is part of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration 2019.
The trail was launched by Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth as part of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration 2019.
He joined 11 community groups for a guided tour of the trail, commenting "there is a treasure trove of stories at Kallang.This was where many of our nation’s sporting memories were forged and is also home to Singapore’s first civil international airport. I encourage everyone to come explore the area with family and friends, relive old memories, and reflect on our Singapore Story.”
The new three-kilometre educational walking trail tells the story of Kallang through 18 heritage markers, artefacts, architecture, and new artworks sited around Singapore Sports Hub. These artworks are commissioned by Singapore Sports Hub to celebrate Kallang’s heritage and local talents. The artworks will be rolled out in phases.
The 18 markers of the trail can be experienced by the public as one whole trail or in three separate smaller walking trails - The Waterfront Trail, The Stadium Trail and The Park Trail.
Each of the trails tells the Kallang story by highlighting prominent landmarks in the area, both past and present. The Waterfront Trail faces the Kallang Basin, a body of water with a rich history going back at least 400 years and reveals the riverine communities who once called this area home, the traditional industries that contributed lasting place names, and the legacy of water sports.
The Stadium Trail explores the grounds of the National Stadium and covers major architectural icons which played key roles in sports, politics, energy, aviation and entertainment in Singapore.
The Park Trail ventures into the former grounds of Kallang Park, journeys through memories of the old Wonderland Amusement Park and ending in front of the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The Merdeka Lions now sited at Stadium Roar, facing the Kallang Basin, are replicas of the original artefacts that were initially commissioned by the Public Works Department (renamed ‘CPD Corporation’) as part of the Merdeka Bridge that was built in 1955. With the widening of Nicoll Highway, the sculptures were then moved to Kallang Park, before being shifted to The SAFTI Military Institute.
14 uniquely designed repurposed benches made from the timber seats in the former National Stadium are situated along the trail. The installation of the 14 benches has enlivened Sports Hub’s public spaces to build community interactions and create shared memories. This underscored the intent of this “Re:Bench” CommunityProject, a collaboration between Singapore Sports Hub and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Self-guided tour maps of The Kallang Story: A Sports, Arts and Heritage Trail are available at the Sports Hub’s Visitors Centre at OCBC Square.
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