A Jog In The Park
Not all business parks are created equal. While some resemble concrete jungles, others are surrounded by lush greenery and wide, open spaces that encourage denizens to take a moment to smell the roses.
The Singapore Science Park (SSP) is a classic example. Here, uplifting workspaces are nestled in landscaped avenues, while legit parks (yes, the type with trees and gardens) are just a stone’s throw away. Over at one-north, the upcoming Rochester Commons is another exciting destination, characterised by rolling lawns in a campus-like environment.
Whether you are a serious or casual runner, both SSP and one-north are excellent neighbourhoods to take to the pavements. Check out these trails for a good cardio workout!
Good For Beginners: Explore SSP 1
The 1.2 km Science Park Drive offers an easy terrain with quaint detours. From Exit B of the Kent Ridge MRT Station (CC24), make your way towards ① Ascent’s stately façade at the entrance of SSP1. Behind these corporate walls lie a stylish lobby with cosy interiors, as well as an impressive food arena called Savourworld. Venture in to check out the smorgasbord of gastronomic offerings!
💡 Warm-ups are a good way to prevent exercise injuries! In and around Ascent are plenty of good spots for some stretching before you start your run.
Pick up the pace as you continue the trail along the sheltered sidewalk. Can you spot ② 5 Science Park Drive, also known as the Shopee Building, from the road? Want to build stamina? Make deliberate detours into all the side roads as you sprint towards ③ The Rutherford at the end of Science Park Drive. Notice the manicured lawns and array of amenities – from cafes and interesting lunch spots to childcare centres — as you loop around the entrances of the respective buildings.
💡 Remember to breathe deeply and rehydrate along the way as needed. There are bus stops along the road where you can take short breaks if necessary.
Before making a beeline back to the starting point, we suggest a detour to the adjacent ④ Kent Ridge Park. Find the opening to the park from across ⑤ Oasis and locate the picturesque pond nearby for some Insta-worthy snaps. Increase your step count by exploring the Canopy Walk and make use of the free exercise equipment scattered throughout the park!
💡 Don’t forget to train your arms! Achieve a full body workout within Oasis, an amenities hub where you can scale “rock walls” catered to all fitness and experience levels!
For Seasoned Runners: Go The Whole Hog
Experienced runners may continue from the main entrance of Kent Ridge Park (at Vigilante Drive) to SSP2, and enjoy the idyllic settings of ⑥ South Buona Vista Road and Pasir Panjang Road along the way. Alternatively, pump it up with a short jog from Haw Par Villa MRT Station (CC25) to the start of SSP2.
As you enter, turn right into the open driveway leading to ⑦ The Alpha, where a high concentration of global and local IT and R&D firms call home. Pay attention to the generous footpaths, tree-lined avenues and tranquil atmosphere — a refreshing contrast to the crowded cityscape and vapid skyscrapers downtown! Next, cross over to ⑧ The Capricorn to check out its luxurious new exterior, glasshouse-like lobby and lush courtyard. Find a good spot to show-off some yoga stretches!
💡 Make pit stops at the various SSP2 buildings to accomplish some static exercises. Lunges, squats and knee lifts, for example, are good for your legs and glutes!
Feel the burn as you push on towards ⑨ The Gemini, a hub for chemical, life sciences, software development and IT companies, and an interesting building with four lobbies. Can you locate its iconic pyramid structure? Run past ⑩ Sparkle and ⑪ The Aries to check-in at ⑫ The Galen, where a new arrival plaza and rejuvenated lobby, complete with futuristic meeting pods and cosy huddle corners, await. If you have made it thus far from the SSP1 (excluding distances covered in Kent Ridge Park), you would have clocked some 5kms’ worth of pavements!
Looking For More? Try one-north
Can’t get enough of these verdant trails? Stage your run among the magnificent Ficus and Angsana trees at one-north Park, a 16-ha green corridor spanning the entire length of one-north. The park is a mere five-minute jog from the upcoming ⑬ Rochester Commons — CapitaLand’s first campus-style integrated development, where modern workspaces, lifestyle offerings and hotel accommodation in a signature 17-storey tower are designed to complement Rochester Park’s charming allure and iconic black-and-white bungalows, setting it apart as a habitat for co-creation and workspace of the future.
There are many ways to explore one-north’s interconnected precincts. We suggest a quick orientation, starting from Exit A of the one-north MRT Station (CC23). Continue along Ayer Rajah Avenue and one-north Avenue towards Mediapolis, where Singapore’s finest soundstages and audio studios are housed at ⑭ Infinite Studios.
Turn this into a 3km endurance route by circling back to one-north MRT Station via balmy ⑮ Portsdown Road, where you will discover blocks of colonial-style walk-up apartments and bungalows from a bygone era. Make ⑯ Galaxis your finishing line, and reward yourself at its two-storey food and retail podium right above the train station!
💡 Sensible Running: “It is important for beginners to chart their own running pace,” advised Ms Annie Long, a part-time fitness trainer with ActiveSG. “Don’t burn out by going too fast. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before progressing onto anything vigorous. An aching side is a common problem for new runners. If this happens, stop and focus on some deep breathing till the pain passes. To minimise its occurrence, avoid a heavy meal before running.”
“Also, remember to tuck in your tummy and maintain a good posture while running. Be mindful about the conditions of the running terrain, and invest in a pair of good running shoes to cushion your feet from impact and injury.”
From lush landscapes to exciting eateries, the picturesque Singapore Science Park and one-north districts have much to offer. To learn more about our properties in these exciting locations, contact us.