17 January 2021
This was one of the first urbex locations I explored with my friend more than 3 years ago. I chanced upon a photo of torii gates in ruins in the middle of the forest and was intrigued. I did some research and found out that it was an abandoned park hidden on a small unassuming hill in Bukit Batok. There were also a few small huts around the hill, with tables and chairs, characteristic of old parks in Singapore. In additional to the abandoned park, we also explored a small farm to the back of the hill.
History
Very little is known about the history of the place. Built in the early 1990s, the park – which was once known as Greenwood Park – did not last long and was closed in 1995. It has now been taken over by the forest and left in ruins. There was also a farm to the back of the hill which was slated for removal at the point in time.
Exploring Bukit Batok Hillside Park
1100 | Head up Fake Stone Steps to a Viewpoint |
1130 | Search for the Torii Gates |
1145 | Look for Rest Huts No. 1 and No. 2 |
1245 | Visit an Old Farm |
1100 | Head up Fake Stone Steps to a Viewpoint
Through a small trail by the roadside, we were immediately greeted by signs of an old park - stone steps that led up into the ruins of a park, which was more of a forest at this point. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the stone steps were made of fake rocks, evident from the cavity in some of the rocks. I guess they did not have much budget for this park in the first place. The first thing we noticed after going up the flight of steps was an old well and abandoned pots and to the side of it. I suppose these were decorative items for the park previously. There was also a relatively big group of hikers there, which seemed like they were part of an organised tour.
We then began our mission to search for the abandoned torii gates, walking upwards along a small forest trail. However, the trail only led us to a viewpoint at the top, overlooking the BTO construction opposite, with no signs of the torii gates.
1130 | Search for the Torii Gates
We went back down the trail to look for any other signs we had missed out earlier, and circled around the place for quite awhile before we decided to explore the other direction. Following along a small side trail, we finally found the torii gates! The torii gates and the wooden path was in a derelict state and we had to watch where we were stepping as every other plank was loose or missing. On the other side of the torii gate path was a wooden table and stool, characteristic of old parks in Singapore.
1145 | Look for Rest Huts No. 1 and No. 2
As most of the paths in the park were overgrown, we had very little to go on and it was mostly a trial and error searching for the 2 rest huts in the park. Going on a hunch, we walked further into the hill, and tried every small trail we saw on the way. Finally one of the trails led to a skeleton of a hut. The roof was mostly gone, except for the structural frame and the platform had a huge gaping hole in the middle.
We continued our search for the second hut and not too far in, we spotted a hut in a better condition than the first. The roof was still intact and the hut had wooden benches. However, upon closer inspection, the flooring had also caved in and loose planks were scattered around. We also found something curious, a love (or hate) poem written on the side of a wooden beam with what looks like correction tape lol. It looked like it was written by some school children, documenting their friendship drama in a poetic way... though it was unclear if it was written when the park was still in operation.
1245 | Visit an Old Farm
We continued to circle around the hill to the other side and eventually found some signs of an irrigation system with piping along the forest floor. We followed along the running water down to the site of a small farm. The plot of land looked like it was still in use with crops growing in neat patches. There were also a few large water tanks in the area to store water, and scattered all around were make shift farming equipments and even a mirror propped up on a wooden stick. Next to the farm were a makeshift hut and a toilet. Everything looked like they were well taken care of and properly maintained. The owner of the farm didn't seemed to be around while we were there so we explored the place for awhile. There were also a few curious onlookers like us, bikers who also happened to chance upon this small farm. From what I heard, the farm was slated to be removed, as with most of these 'illegal' farmlands in Singapore. This was such a pity, as it was obvious that the owner took great care of the place.
My Thoughts
This was one of my first urbex exploration that peeked my interest and inspired me to explore more of these forgotten places around Singapore - places hidden in plain sight and with their own story waiting to be discovered and told.
WOW! You found a farm!!!!