Park Connector Network in the North-East: Routes from Hougang to Punggol, Sengkang and Coney Island

The Park Connector Network is NParks’ system of green paths linking parks across Singapore, and the north-east has one of the most complete stretches. Its backbone is the North Eastern Riverine Loop, which NParks gives as 26 km, running through Buangkok, Sengkang and Punggol and out to the coast. For anyone at Hougang Central, where LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences) is planned, the loop starts almost on the doorstep at Punggol Park. This guide lists the connectors that matter, flags current closures and suggests four rides.

How the North-East network fits together

Think of it as a ring with spurs. The ring follows reservoirs and rivers: Serangoon Reservoir on the east, Punggol Reservoir on the west, the Straits of Johor along the top. Punggol Waterway cuts across the middle, and Coney Island and Lorong Halus Wetland sit off the north-east corner. NParks describes the loop as linking four parks, and in practice those are Punggol Park, Sengkang Riverside Park, Punggol Waterway Park and Punggol Point Park.

From Hougang Central, the simplest way in is to walk or ride about a kilometre north to Punggol Park. From there, NParks says a footbridge over Sungai Pinang links the Serangoon Park Connector to the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, which carries you on towards Punggol.

Connectors and lengths

Connector	Length	Route (per NParks)
Serangoon PC	4.2 km	Tampines Road, along Hougang Ave 7 and Buangkok Drive, to Sengkang East Road and Buangkok Green
Buangkok PC	1.5 km	Yio Chu Kang Road and Buangkok Green to Sengkang East Road
Sungei Serangoon PC	2.1 km	Sengkang East Drive and Buangkok Drive to Punggol East
Punggol PC	6.1 km	Gerald Drive, along Punggol Reservoir and the Straits of Johor, to Punggol Promenade
Punggol Waterway	8.4 km	Both banks of the waterway through Punggol town
Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk	1.2 km	Near Tebing Lane, beside Serangoon Reservoir
Punggol Promenade Nature Walk	2.4 km	Coastal middle section, with fishing platforms and shelters
Punggol Promenade Punggol Point Walk	1.3 km	End of Punggol Road, near Punggol Jetty
Lorong Halus PC	3.0 km	Near Lorong Halus Wetland and along Pasir Ris Farmway 3
Hougang Avenue 3 PC	4.4 km	Along Hougang Avenue 3 to Airport Road

These are one-way lengths along each connector, from NParks’ connector pages in September 2026. Coney Island adds its own 2.5 km park connector across the island.

Closures and notices (September 2026)

• Punggol Point Walk: Punggol Point Park and its car park are closed for upgrading from 11 August 2026 to 31 December 2027. The toilets stay open, per NParks.
• Lorong Halus PC: partially closed for MRT works until 31 December 2026. Follow the diversion signs.
• Sengkang Riverside Park: a track section is closed for pipe-laying until 31 December 2026, with an alternative path on the park map.
• Punggol Promenade Nature Walk: NParks warns that wild boars have been sighted. Keep your distance and stay on the path.

Four rides from Hougang Central

1. Punggol Park and the reservoir edge (easy)

Ride or walk north from Hougang MRT to Punggol Park, do a lap of the lake, then follow the Serangoon Park Connector along Sungai Pinang and the edge of Serangoon Reservoir. NParks mentions grey herons, little egrets and kingfishers along the water. Turn back whenever you like. Punggol Park has bike rental, per NParks, so you do not need your own bike.

2. Hougang to Punggol Waterway (moderate)

From Punggol Park, cross to the Sungei Serangoon connector and ride to Punggol East, then follow the Riverside Walk past Tebing Lane to the eastern end of the waterway. Loop along one bank of Punggol Waterway Park and back along the other, and either ride home or take the NEL three stops back to Hougang from Punggol MRT.

3. Sengkang river and wetland (moderate)

Ride through Buangkok to Sengkang (a detour west along the Buangkok Park Connector leads to Kampong Lorong Buangkok), then pick up the Punggol Park Connector, which NParks says passes Anchorvale Community Club, the sports complex and a large man-made wetland at Sengkang Riverside Park. The Sengkang section is flat and pleasant in the late afternoon.

4. The coast and Coney Island (long)

For a half-day, continue from Punggol East along the three Punggol Promenade walks to the coast, then cross onto Coney Island and ride its gravel connector. Expect diversions near Punggol Point Park while it is closed, and remember the island’s gates close at 7pm. On the way home, a train from Punggol Coast (NE18) back to Hougang is four stops if your legs give out.

Heading south instead

The Hougang Avenue 3 Park Connector runs 4.4 km to Airport Road. NParks says it links Hougang and MacPherson residents to the riverine loop and gives Punggol riders easier access to the Eastern Coastal Loop via the Pelton Canal and Kallang connectors, past Kallang Riverside Park. It is the route towards the city side and the east coast.

Practical tips

• Use the NEAR app. NParks’ Explore A Route app maps the connectors and helps at confusing junctions.
• Share the path. Walkers, runners, cyclists and personal mobility aid users all use the connectors. Ring your bell and slow down near playgrounds, bridges and bus stops.
• Know the road rules. LTA requires a helmet on roads, lights after dark, and bans cycling on footpaths marked pedestrian-only since 1 July 2025.
• Carry water. The reservoir and coastal stretches have little shade.

No bike? Our bike rental guide covers shared bikes and rental counters around Punggol and Hougang.

What it means for LinkTown Residences

Being close to the loop is one of the understated advantages of Hougang Central. From LinkTown Residences, planned above Hougang MRT, the nearest entry point at Punggol Park is a short walk, and the whole north-east network opens up from there without riding on main roads. For more weekend ideas close to home, see our list of things to do in Hougang. See the location page for the wider picture, and the site plan page for when the development’s own layout, including any bicycle parking, is released.

Connector details are from the NParks North Eastern Riverine Loop page and individual connector pages, checked in September 2026.

Register to get the LinkTown Residences site plan and facilities list as soon as they’re released.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the North Eastern Riverine Loop?

NParks gives the loop as 26 km. It runs through Buangkok, Sengkang and Punggol and out to Punggol Promenade and Lorong Halus Wetland.

Can I get onto the park connectors from Hougang?

Yes. Punggol Park, about a kilometre north of Hougang MRT, is on the loop. The Serangoon Park Connector and a footbridge over Sungai Pinang link it to the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector towards Punggol.

Are any North-East park connectors closed?

As of September 2026, NParks lists the Lorong Halus Park Connector as partially closed for MRT works until 31 December 2026, and Punggol Point Park on the Punggol Point Walk as closed for upgrading from 11 August 2026 to 31 December 2027.

Is there an app for park connector routes?

NParks’ Explore A Route (NEAR) app maps the park connectors and is easier to follow than signs at junctions.

Do I need a helmet on a park connector?

LTA requires helmets when cycling on roads. The rule does not cover park connectors, but a helmet is sensible, especially for children.