Bedok Reservoir - Park with Berlin Wall

One of the 17 fresh-water reservoirs in Singapore, Bedok Reservoir was a former sand quarry that collects rainwater runoff from the eastern part of Singapore. The reservoir and surrounding area have been turned into a recreational park where other than admiring the views from the boardwalk or floating deck, you can also fish, do kayaking or simply enjoy the walk around the reservoir, admire ants' hills, Tiger Orchids, the largest orchid in the world and appreciate the reunification of Germany with a segment of a Berlin walls right here in the park.

Bedok Reservoir is located in the eastern part of Singapore, close to Bedok North and Tampines West so especially great for those living in these housing estates. Bedok Reservoir is also linked to other parks such as Pasir Ris Park and Tampines Eco Park via the Park Connector Network or PCN so you can cycle or walk between parks. Nature is bountiful in Bedok Reservoir Park. As you enter you will be greeted with the purplish Cape plumbago and within the park there are massive Tiger Orchids. Tiger orchids only bloom once a year around July and for about two months only till around September. The good news is these massive flowers are found in many parks in Singapore including Pasir Ris Park and MacRitchie Reservoir Park, not just at National Orchid Garden.

You may be tempted to take photos of this pretty orange flowers but look out for ants crawling around. There are red ants too. You may notice some ant and termites hills as you walk around the park. Bedok Reservoir is popular with joggers. It is not a large park compared to other parks or nature reserve but will still give a good sweat if you walk or jog around the reservoir.

Bedok Reservoir and boardwalk

The whole loop around the reservoir is 4.3 km (2.7 miles). As it is a loop you will see joggers or walkers either in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. There are markers showing the distance on the gravel pavement or trail. You may also see yoga groups in the park with their ubiquitous floor mats. During the weekends there are also workout groups. There is also an outdoor fitness station and a playground. The

outdoor fitness corner and playground are standard features that can be found at almost all parks in Singapore so that the whole family can enjoy an outing in the park together.

The most interesting feature of the park is probably a segment of the Berlin Wall painted in black which was installed in 2010 at Bedok Reservoir Park on the 20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall that divided East Germany from West Germany fall on 9 November 1989 and the German reunification happened in October 2010.

Berlin Wall

Of course the walls at Bedok Reservoir which looks like a well-sculptured art piece and painted in black won’t be the same as the graffiti-laden grey concrete walls in Berlin but it is supposed to convey similar meaning to reflect on the collective people’s power to be united as one, even more so without major confrontation or firing a single shot. Having seen some of the remnants in Berlin in its original form with its jagged edge and protruding steel bars, this one may come a bit too clean cut.

Bedok Reservoir is one of the few reservoirs where one can fish, though it has to be done at dedicated fishing deck and there are used fishing hook and lines bins so that these items can be disposed of properly. While you are enjoying your walk you may notice ants and termites hills dotting around the park. Some ants bite and the red ones sting so if you see them just walk away and leave them alone. Apparently ants can be attracted to human sweat.

Fishing at Bedok Reservoir

Termites eat dead leaves and wood and help in nutrients recycling to help the surrounding plants grow so these insects are important part of the ecosystem.So just like other quarries such as at Pulau Ubin and Bukit Batok that has been turned into a park or wetland, similarly Bedok Reservoir has been transformed into a park complete with unique Berlin Wall and scenic views for all to enjoy and perhaps to reflect upon.

There is a bistro in the park if you fancy a meal or drink to go with the views. The park is conveniently located less than 10 minutes walk to or from Bedok Reservoir MRT Station (blue line). Which is great for a unique sight-seeing.