Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on parking at NParks’ facilities
Jan 29, 2016
Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for National Development whether NParks will consider providing
(a) free parking at its facilities for the public for the first two hours and at off-peak times; and
(b) free parking for residents holding a season HDB parking label within a reasonable vicinity and, if not, a concessionary parking rate for such residents.
Answer:
Most of our parks are within 400m or a 10-minute walk from residential areas. Our parks are also well-linked by the extensive park connector network and are served by public transport. Aligned with Singapore's car-lite vision, we encourage Singaporeans to walk, cycle or take public transport to our parks rather than drive.
For those who really need to drive, limited car parking spaces are provided. These car parks lots are charged to regulate usage, and to ensure availability of lots for park users.
Since September 2015, NParks has revised the car park operating hours for various car parks in 7 parks, to effect charging from 8.30am to 6.30am the following day, instead of doing so on a 24-hour basis. This is to benefit early morning park users, many of whom are seniors. NParks has been monitoring the usage patterns in these car parks and will consider extending this scheme to other parks.
The users of our parks come from all over the island. Hence it would be difficult to justify why those staying within the vicinity of a park should be given preferential treatment and accorded free or concessionary parking rates, over those who live further away. In fact, for those staying near a park, we would want to encourage them to leave their cars at the HDB parking lots, and then walk or cycle to the park.