SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) on Tuesday (Jan 25) reminded the public that it is not safe to explore Coney Island after 7pm after a video circulated on social media of tourists stranded in the park.
On Saturday night, a user named John Han posted a video on Facebook of at least 10 people, including two children, waiting behind closed gates at Coney Island Park.
Responding to CNA’s inquiry on Tuesday, NParks Group East Parks director Chia Seng Jiang said the board was aware of the incident involving some people who “couldn’t leave” the park.
The gates to the park closed at 7 p.m., Mr. Jia said. He added that Coney Island Park’s opening hours are displayed on signs at the park’s entrance and shelter.
The CNA’s inspection also showed the opening hours on the NParks website, stating “Gates will close at 7pm”.
“Our park security arrived within an hour and opened the gates to let them go,” Mr Chia added.
Enter the Coney Island Trail. (Photo: NParks)
Mr Xie said Coney Island Park has no artificial lighting and is closed to the public from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. so that the island’s nocturnal wildlife has a natural environment in which to thrive.
He noted that the park is rich in biodiversity, including coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves and casuarina woodlands.
The park also has a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which are critically endangered, he said.
“With no lights on the island, it is not safe for tourists to explore after 7pm as they may get lost or put themselves in danger,” Mr Chia said.
He added: “NParks would like to remind all park visitors to respect our park’s opening hours and follow on-site advice for their safety.”
