Professor Leo Tan, Chairman, National Parks Board;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and gentlemen;

A very good morning to you,

Labrador Park is a very special place in Singapore. It is a park rich in history, containing many historical relics dating back to the 19th century. And as it is situated along the coast, Labrador Park offers park visitors a beautiful view of the sea.

In developing parks, NParks has always made use of special features inherent to the park to create a unique recreational experience for park visitors. Labrador Park is yet another proof where NParks has effectively capitalised on the location, historical features and terrain to create a distinct identity for the park.

Having said that this place is rich with history, I would not do justice to it without saying something about its special past. As early as 1843, Labrador Park was identified by the British as one of the strategic defence sites to protect the harbours of Singapore.

The early fortification of the site is believed to have been constructed in 1878, in tandem with Fort Siloso at Sentosa. The fort was subsequently upgraded in 1892 with underground ammunition storerooms. In the 1930s, more powerful guns were introduced and further upgrading of the fortification and underground complexes was carried out.

Today, relics and ruins of a command post, machine gun posts, observation positions, gun positions, and ammunition storage compartments can still be seen in the Labrador Park, partly concealed amongst the forest vegetation.

For park visitors, Labrador Park is a classic example of an outdoor classroom. The coastal view of the sea and forested cliffs make it an excellent place for learning about Singapore’s botanical and geographical heritage. On top of that, the historical relics make it a unique venue for lessons on Singapore’s history during World War II. Park visitors can experience a chapter of Singapore’s past by walking along the History Trail, which comes complete with storyboards.

To ensure that the information provided in the signages is accurate, NParks had worked closely with the National Heritage Board (NHB) in verifying the facts for all the significant historical relics in the park. I am heartened to see such a collaboration as it has made visits to the park meaningful. I would therefore like to encourage more of such inter-agency cooperation that provides opportunities for Singaporeans to experience learning in a fun and interesting environment.

Whilst Labrador Park is being redeveloped into an important historical site, it is also necessary to highlight significant landmarks associated with it. As such, it is my pleasure to mark the famous Dragon’s Teeth Gate later during this ceremony.

The Dragon’s Teeth Gate is actually a pair of granite rock outcrops. One was located on the shore of Labrador Park’s eastern tip, and the other located on the opposite shore of Tanjong Rimau on Sentosa Island.

Although it was the Straits Settlement Surveyor, John Thomson who blew up these rock outcrops in August 1848 to widen the entrance to this harbour, the fame of these rock outcrops, however, has spread far and wide. Their widespread reputation is evident from the names given by the various people groups. For example, the Fujian mariners named them 'Leng Ge Meng', meaning 'Dragon’s Teeth Gate'; the Malays named them 'Batu Berlayer', meaning 'Sailing Rock'; and the British sailors, who gave them the name 'Lot's wife', in reference to the biblical story of the wife of Abraham's nephew.

Many Singaporeans are unaware that Labrador Park has so much to offer, from historical relics, to scenic views, to relaxing nature and seaside ambience. Therefore, I am glad that NParks has been progressively redeveloping it since 1995. Park visitors are now able to enjoy enhanced facilities such as the jetty, an access road that connects Port Road, a new and bigger carpark, and two walking trails with interpretative signs. Yet more developments are in the pipeline, such as a Service and Visitor’s Center and a cantilever timber deck along the coast.

I am happy to announce that Labrador Park will be officially adopted by three parties today. The adopters are Anglo Chinese Junior College, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and the Curriculum Planning and Development Division of the Ministry of Education.

With so many new facilities and spots in this park to explore, it is with great pleasure that I now officially launch the marking of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, the History Trail, and the adoption of Labrador Park.

Thank you.

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