The Rich History of Jalan Kayu

After more than a year of research and groundwork, the Jalan Kayu Heritage Trail was officially launched by
Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore District on 17 November 2007. Students of Pei Hwa Secondary School, with the support of Jalan Kayu CCC, Sengkang West CCC and Central Singapore CDC, developed it. Mr Daniel Lim, 33, a teacher at Pei Hwa Secondary School and the project manager, says the aim of the exercise is to take learning beyond the classroom.

The Jalan Kayu Heritage Trail comprises four thematic trails: Nature Trail, History Trail, Food Trail and Maths Trail. With the website launched, Pei Hwa Secondary School plans to incorporate the Heritage Trail into its school curriculum, and bring the Heritage Trail to students, parents and the public in 2008.

Student guides have been trained. From January, they will serve as guides on bus trips, which will take students from primary schools to explore this 7.5 sq km area in Jalan Kayu. The Heritage Trail will also be open to the public, with guides drawn from grassroots volunteers from the Central Singapore CDC.

During the launch, the Mayor and invited guests had a preview of the walking trail. They visited Kampong
Lorong Buangkok, reputed to be the last kampong in Singapore, old Pei Hwa Public School, the horticulture and tropical fish farming area, Seletar Camp, and the shops along Jalan Kayu. Along the way, guests shared stories of their kampong life and interesting historical snippets. Among them, Mr Goh Gong Gong, PBM, retired principal of the old Pei Hwa Public School, shared some interesting happenings in that kampong
school. Mr Chew Thiam Kwee, PBM, a veteran Jalan Kayu grassroots leader, also pointed out the site where a kampong community centre designed by the late President Ong Teng Cheong once stood. Mr Ong was then the President of Seletar Hills Residents’ Association. Mr Chew also highlighted other forgotten sites such as the former Chia Keng Prison and an old pottery factory near Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, which Hwi Yoh derived its name. He hopes the Heritage Trail would extend to include these areas in future.

Residents who are interested to know more about the heritage of Jalan Kayu and about the Heritage Trail may visit the following websites:
www.jalankayutrail.edu.sg and
www.jalankayutrail.blogspot.com.