Changi Jurassic Mile (Singapore Attraction)

Revision as of 15:28, 12 October 2020 by Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs)

Changi Jurassic Mile is a cycling and jogging path in Singapore that features over 20 large-scaled models of prehistoric creatures across several different species.[1] It is a part of the 3.5-kilometre path that connects Changi Airport to East Coast Park.[2]

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the prehistoric species featured along the path.

Development

According to a report by The Straits Times, the Changi Jurassic Mile took about three years to complete.[3] The project was supported by the government statutory boards, National Parks (NParks) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Conceptualisation & execution

 
The Changi Jurassic Mile aims to be family-friendly to both locals and tourists.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in October 2020, Changi Airport Group's (CAG) Managing Director of airport and operations management, Jayson Goh said:

"The new experiential elements injected along the Changi Jurassic Mile will offer all who visit a sense of adventure and surprise. With the Changi Airport connector, we hope to give visitors a different experience of the airport."[4]

Although certain stretches of the park connector were reportedly completed by July 2020,[5] the connector was not entirely ready for public use until a few months later.[2] The dinosaur models were reportedly designed and made by a Singaporean company.[6]

Opening

 
Minister Ong Ye Kung pictured with the T-Rex model. Photo from source.

Changi Jurassic Mile was officially opened to the public on 11 October 2020.[2] Singapore’s transport minister, Ong Ye Kung officiated the launch and documented his experience on his social media platforms.[7] He stated the following in a Facebook post:

“Our cycling journey to the Jurassic Mile started from Bedok this morning. We meandered through cycling paths in the housing estates, down East Coast Parkway, before reaching Changi Airport... This is a labour of love by the Changi Airport team. The Airport is down, but the spirit roars!”[8]

The opening of Changi Jurassic Mile was covered by mainstream news sites[6][9] as well as alternative media channels such as MustShare News and Mothership.[10]

Public reception

Though some netizens commend the innovation, others have also raised the concern that the path along the fenced dinosaur exhibits is too narrow for both cyclists and pedestrians to share.[9]

Attractions & facilities

Prehistoric creatures

 
The ankylosaurus models along the Changi Jurassic Mile.

The prehistoric creatures are permanent exhibits located at along a 1-kilometre stretch of the park connector.[3] The tallest among the models is approximately five metres in height[11] while the longest exhibit spans 17 metres.[6] The following are the types of creatures on exhibit.

  • Tyrannosaurus Rex: A large, bipedal carnivore that was most likely an apex predator and scavenging species.
  • Triceratops: A quadrupedal herbivore that had three distinct horns.
  • Brachiosaurus: A large, quadrupedal herbivore with long front limbs and a long neck.
  • Velociraptors: A mid-sized, bipedal carnivore that had large, distinct hind-claws.
  • Stegosaurus: A quadrupedal herbivore that had upright plates along its spine and a spiked tail.
  • Ankylosaurus: A quadrupedal herbivore that had defensive armoured plating and spikes on its body.
  • Parasaurolophus: A herbivore with a large cranial crest.
  • Brontosaurus: A large, quadrupedal herbivore with a long neck and a small head.
  • Apatosaurus: A large, quadrupedal herbivore with a long neck and small head.

The Changi Jurassic Mile also features education panels that present information about each type of dinosaur on exhibit.[5]

HUB&SPOKE

HUB&SPOKE is a pit-stop facility that offers a range of services from bicycle rental at the GoCycling outlet[12] to a dining option at the HUB&SPOKE café.[13][14] According to a report by The New Paper, the HUB&SPOKE café employs Changi Airport staff.[4]

References/ Citations

  1. "JURASSIC MILE". Changi Airport Group. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Phua, Rachel. "New 3.5km path linking Changi Airport and East Coast Park opens, featuring dinosaur exhibits". Channel News Asia. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lim Min Zhang. "New cycling track from East Coast Park to Changi Airport opens, with life-sized dinosaur models along the way". The Straits Times. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Lim Min Zhang. "Changi Airport Connector, featuring a Jurassic Mile, is now open". The New Paper. October 12, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Walk beside life-sized Dinosaurs at Jurassic Mile - Singapore's Newest & Coolest Park Connector". Cheekie Monkie. July 21, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Straits Times. "Walking and cycling with dinosaurs: Changi Airport opens Jurassic Mile". YouTube. October 12, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  7. Cao, Sabrina. "Explore Life-sized Dinosaurs Along The New 3.5km Path in Singapore". Weekender. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  8. Ong Ye Kung. "The Jurassic Mile officially opens today!". Facebook. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  9. 9.0 9.1 CNA. "Walk with dinosaurs at Changi Jurassic Mile". YouTube. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  10. Mothership. "Changi Airport Connector and Jurassic Mile in Singapore". YouTube. October 12, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  11. Beate. "Life-sized Dinosaurs at Changi Jurassic Mile along Changi Airport Connector: Free Entry". Sassy Mama. October 12, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  12. Ang, Matthias. "GoCycling bike store opens at Changi Airport T2 near Changi Jurassic Mile, S$8/hour rental". Mothership. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  13. Chua, Atalia. "Changi Jurassic Mile Is A Cycling & Jogging Path With Life-Sized Dinosaurs Along New Airport Connector". MustShare News. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.
  14. Wong, Kayla. "Meet 'lifelike' dinosaurs while jogging or cycling to Changi Airport from East Coast Park on new connector". Mothership. October 11, 2020. Accessed on 12 October 2020.