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These days, Metro Manila appears to be in a relentless pursuit to build more buildings and malls. Progress is good, but the huge appetite for urban space seems to overlook the need to develop more parks or conserve more open green spaces. Which is depressing when you consider how studies have long shown that parks and open spaces provide both health and economic benefits to a city and its people.
There’s growing evidence that “proximity to parks and open spaces enhances the value of residential properties.” A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US also found that when people have access to parks, it led to a 25.6% increase of people exercising. Another study, following 10,000 residents in the Netherlands found that people residing in a greener environment report fewer health complaints and have better mental health.
Thankfully, we still have a handful of parks and green spaces around Metro Manila where we can walk under trees, feel grass on our feet, and look out to a wide open space. Here’s a round-up of some of the remaining green spots in Metro Manila.
MANILA
RIZAL PARK
Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila; +63 2 3027381; 27/4; free entrance
The country’s historic park occupies 54 hectares in the Philippine capital. While it has a grandstand, two museums — Museum of the Filipino People and National Museum for Natural History — and other structures built within the grounds, 22 hectares are allocated just its many gardens, wooded areas and other open spaces. It got a much needed rehabilitation back in 2011 and was cited as one of the best parks in Asia last year by Agoda.com. When you want to play tourist, popular sights include the Rizal Monument, the 150-feet tall Independence Flagpole, the Japanese garden, Orchidarium, the central lagoon.
Best days to visit: Weekends! On Fridays are “Week Nights @ 6,” which features the best of the seven arts, from music to cinema. On Saturdays are “Labs Kita Sabado,” which showcases ballet performances, acoustic acts, acrobatics, etc. “Concert at the Park” are held every Sunday. Note: While the Park grounds are open 24/7, the gated facilities such as the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and the Children’s Playground) are open until 8:30pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends.
Photo: courtesy of the National Parks Development Committee
PACO PARK
San Marcelino Street (east end of Padre Faura Street); +63 2 480 7062; 8am-5pm; PHP10
Small compared to the vast grounds of Rizal Park, Paco Park still offers a quiet reprieve from the noisy streets of Manila. Enclosed within a circular thick adobe wall, the former municipal cemetery for aristocratic Spanish families during the colonial period was only converted to a park in the mid-1960s. Considered one of the more lovely public parks, it has well groomed gardens, pathways, and a pleasant chapel — all of which have made it into a favorite wedding venue or at least a romantic place to stroll in.
Best days to visit: Fridays from 6-7pm. That’s when the long-running “Paco Park Presents” serenades visitors with classical music.
Photo: courtesy of the National Parks Development Committee
MAKATI
WASHINGTON SYCIP PARK
Rada, Gamboa and Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati; +63 2 8362740; 6am-10pm; free entrance
Just a quick walk from Greenbelt mall, Washington Sycip Park is a cocoon of green tucked in the middle of the high rises of the Central Business District. There are gazebos, sculptures, and a koi pond that make for a beautiful pocket park, not to mention piped-in music. Be sure to also look at the towering, majestic trees (gaze at the beautiful Bagras with its multi-colored bark), which offer a welcome canopy from the heat.
Park perk: Aside from gawking at trees you have the striking sculptures of artist Impy Pilapil to behold.
AYALA TRIANGLE GARDENS
Between Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati; Website; 6am-10pm; free entrance
The stretch of green that intersects Makati’s major arteries — Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas Street — is best known to come alive and get jam-packed during the holidays with its lights and sounds show. On regular days, it’s still a destination particularly for many folks escaping their cubicles after a long day at work and in need to eat with a view of greenery, or break out a sweat. Jogging around the 1.2 kilometer loop is a popular choice for many.
Park perk: Humans of animals. The park allows visitors to bring their pets, unlike the two aforementioned Makati parks.
LEGAZPI ACTIVE PARK
Rada corner Gamboa Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati; +63 2 8449530; 6am-10pm
Across Washington Sycip Park is another pocket park that regularly lures in light joggers, families with their children at play, and office workers in need of a mid-day break. Legazpi Active Park is a small but bright patch of green in an expanse of concrete.
Tip: It can get pretty busy afterhours, with office workers bringing their game-face on and students rehearsing for their PE classes. So come here for a playful session of people-watching, instead of the deep makabagdamdaming me-time. You won’t regret it.
JAIME C. VELASQUEZ PARK
Leviste Street cor Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village, Makati; +63 2 8880556; 7am-8pm
Better known as the location for the Salcedo Market every Saturday morning, but it remains bustling during weekend afternoons when families and their kids from the nearby high-rise condos descend upon it for some refreshing outdoor playtime.
Tip: Need some down me-time? Come here Sunday mornings, when everybody else is at Legazpi Sunday Market. Get your coffee for any of the 4 coffee shops within walking distance of Salcedo Park and get your mind off everything.
TAGUIG
TRACK 30TH
30th Street cor 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; Website; 6am-10pm; free entrance
One of two pocket parks slanted toward health and fitness in Bonifacio Global City, Track 30th attracts all them fitness buffs and health enthusiasts. Apart from the jogging paths, it has an exercise lawn and even fitness art for runners. There’s little shade, which means, this is best used after work, just like the Legazpi Active Park.
Power through: That interesting-looking wooden installation? You can actually use it as an exercise machine: for warm-up, stretching, pull-ups, push-ups and the like.
TERRA 28TH
28th Street cor 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; Website; 6am-10pm; free entrance
The second of public spaces in Bonifacio Global City is Terra 28th. Apart from the jogging paths, Terra 28th is popular for a play area for old-school Pinoy street games — patintero, piko and luksong baka. Take the kids here or feel like a kid yourself.
Tip: Bring your kids, they’ll surely enjoy the playground!
PASIG
GARDEN PARK 6
Stella Maris Street, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig; 6am-5pm; free entrance
Past the busy rows of restaurants that are now crammed in Kapitolyo, there’s a small unassuming spot of green. Sure, half of the area looks covered in cement or is in need of further landscaping, but the size has decent grassy lawns and trees to offer enough shade when you decide to walk over and bring your toddler for a stroll. The playground is currently locked — we’re told that it’s under renovation.
Tip: It’s located behind Wooden Spoon so you know you can have a good meal in case you get hungry.
QUEZON CITY
NINOY AQUINO PARKS AND WILDLIFE CENTER
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City (North Avenue before Elliptical Road, and (for pedestrians) along Quezon Avenue; +63 2 9246-31-05; 7am-5pm; Entrance starts at PHP5
It certainly has seen better days (so we were happy to spot some rehabilitation work being done when we visited), but the 22.7-hectare park remains a vast and accessible outdoor space that continuously draws Pinoys from all walks of life. Aside from seeing couples and families clocking in some serious quality time around the lagoon and between the maze of trees, you’ll also come across anime cosplayers, a medieval costume-themed party, photo shoots, and volley ball games.
Park perk: As a Wildlife Rescue Center, there’s also a mini-zoo for confiscated, donated, or injured wild animals, including one majestic and rare Philippine eagle. Bring the kids to see local fauna without having to leave the city.
QUEZON MEMORIAL CIRCLE
Elliptical Road, Diliman; +63 2 9203672; 24/7; free entrance
Aside from getting a history lesson on one of the country’s presidents from the 66-meter shrine and mausoleum, QMC or Circle, provides more than 15 hectares of green space conducive for early morning jogs, afternoon picnics, enjoy a bike ride in or a family outing in the early evening.
Park perk: Watch the colorful display of lights and ‘dancing water’ from the revived old fountain.
LA MESA WATERSHED AND ECOPARK
Greater Lagro Area, Quezon City; +63 917 8582949; 8am-5pm; PHP50
The ecopark surrounding and protecting the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is an impressive nature reserve that spans 33 hectares. Focused on “outdoor recreation and forest experience,” the ecopark trails for mountain biking and hiking, a butterfly trail and hatchery, overnight camping areas, boating and fishing lagoons, and five hectares of picnic grounds.
Wow factor: The ecopark has been rehabilitated with 82 endemic trees. Bantay Kalikasan reports that it absorbs 3% of the total carbon emissions of Metro Manila.
