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Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks, and Wildlife Reserves

174K views 327 replies 116 participants last post by  bisayaKID 
#1 · (Edited)
Do we have a La Mesa Eco Park thread? if none i'll start one ,hope you can also contribute articles and photos , i am amazed w/ this park , yes i still believe we Filipinos can make a difference in our environment .

La Mesa Eco Park: Paradise found
by Donna Corpin
It used to be that fresh air meant going to Baguio, boating meant Burnham Park (again in Baguio), swimming pools meant Laguna, hiking meant Mt. Banahaw, and picnics meant Tagaytay. All those places entailed some planning and considerable budget.

What if there was one place that offered everything--right within the metro?

Since August 2005, the La Mesa Watershed Resort and Ecological Park in East Fairview has been the one-stop destination for all of the above. Quezon City residents and non-residents alike have been flocking to the park to commune with nature without actually going out of town. Anyone with at least a hundred bucks can go there on a whim.

Although Fairview is often regarded as being on the fringes of the city, it’s still relatively close. From Makati, going there would take an hour at least on a good day.

Once on Commonwealth Avenue, it’s pretty hard to picture how a natural enclave can sit in the middle of all the smog, traffic, and crowded streets. Past the imposing Sandiganbayan building, the reek around Manggahan, and the squatters on Riverside, unpolluted and breathable air would be most welcome.

Entering a fenced subdivision is even more unconvincing as the way to a park full of promises. But there on the outskirts of the suburb, all misgivings die and give way to awe when a high drop on the left is seen and a majestic expanse of water magnetizes with its soft waves on the right. It’s like being caught between the devil (the precipice looks like it well slides down to the bottomless pit, albeit covered in greens) and the deep blue sea--which is what kids will no doubt call the La Mesa Watershed. It’s a reservoir more than 70 feet deep, the principal source of Metro Manila’s drinking water.

The Ecopark spans 33 hectares, 10 of which is already operational. It lies within the La Mesa Watershed which measures 2,700 hectares and is straddled by Rizal Province, Caloocan, Marikina, and Quezon City. There’s even more greenery as one enters the park proper. This is no surprise as rare species of plants and animals are aplenty. Fifty pesos gives access to all the park has to offer from 8 AM to 5 PM all days of the week. Those inside before 5 in the afternoon can stay until 6 PM.






 
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#4 · (Edited)
^^ boating , picnic, camping , a nature walk .....

La Mesa Eco Park Opens
Annaliza T. Villas, Manila Bulletin

QUEZON CITY - Listen to birds chirping, have a picnic, take a walk while enjoying nature's display, bathe on salt water pools… appreciate the seclusion, value and beauty nature in La Mesa Eco Park in East Fairview. Continue below.



Nestled in the heart of Quezon City, the La Mesa Eco Park attracts the people for so many reasons. This garden-like park provides opportunities for visitors to relax and unwind while enjoying a wide variety of trees and plants, particularly orchids.

In addition to excellent recreation, the park also boasts of its salt-water swimming pools.

Known as the only park having salt-water swimming pools open for public use in Manila, La Mesa Eco Park administrator Delia Abesamis asserted that it is one of their facilities that no other park in Manila has.

"It is the only salt-water pool in Manila open to the public. With a swimming fee of P30 and P60 per person, swimmers can enjoy clean, and healthier water," said Abesamis.

Manage by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and other private firms, she disclosed that salt-water pools require more supervision and upkeep compared to ordinary swimming pools.

"Health experts say salt-water pool is healthier than ordinary pool, which has chlorine content. The maintenance of salt-water pools is more expensive than ordinary pools but we see to it that pool water is clean and safe for the public," she said.

Aside from its salt-water pools, the park offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, while children can play on green fields.

"Visitors can use the amenities at the park, tables and chairs, which had been specifically constructed for the families, so they can enjoy their quality time together while having fun. We also provide cooking and grilling areas if they want to prepare their meals hot and fresh. Unlike other parks, we do not restrict the visitors to bring in foods and drinks," she enthused.

But she noted that visitors should clean their spaces before leaving, emphasizing on the cleanliness of the nature park.

"We also want the visitors to be accountable in maintaining the cleanliness of the park. As long as they keep the park clean, we allow them to do their own cooking," she added.

For the orchid enthusiasts, the Orchidarium is the 'must-see' area. It is an enclosed orchid trail exhibit featuring a wide variety of orchids in bloom from the Philippine Orchid Society (POS) and some donated by Senator Franklin Drilon.

Some of orchid species and ornamental plants to be seen at the Orchidarium include Aerides odora, Ascocen-trum aurantiacum, Cymbiduim finallysonianum, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium secundum, Eria ornata, Lipares condylobulbun, Macropo danthus philippinensis, Paphiopedilum haynaldianum, Paphiopedilum philippinense, Ascda, Hilo Jewel, allied Cattleyas, standard Dendrobiums, Oncidium Sweet Sugar, Phalaenopsis shelleriana, Renanthera storiei, Rhychonstylis praemorsa, Trichoglottis amesiana, Trichoglottis latisepala, Trichoglottis philippinensis, Trichoglottis tamesii, Vanda lamellate, Vanda luzonica, Vanda ustii, Waling-waling, Ariods, Bromeliads, and Ferns.

Abesamis averred that many are amazed with the orchid collection displayed that some wanted to buy them or take them home. She revealed it is one of the park's difficulties - how to handle deceitful people.

"There are people who pick flowers without permission, especially if the guards are not looking. We appeal to people to just appreciate the beauty of the flowers," the Eco Park administrator lamented.

For corporate functions such as seminars, conventions, parties and conferences, she said the park's cluster of pavilions can be used.

"We have Narra, Neptune and Ipil pavilions where companies can hold corporate functions. Christmas parties had been held here also," she added.

Through the park is not yet being opened fully and still need more resources to finish the park has been open for the general public since April.

Aside from relaxing, Abesamis said that students also visit the place for the educational purposes. To encourage Quezon City students, 50% discount can be availed while entrance is free for senior citizens. She said around 250 individuals troop the park every day and guests are foreseen to surge as rehabilitation and progress continues. The park is predicted to be fully operational on March 2005 where visitors can go fishing, go boating, camping and biking, among others.

"We are currently putting up the boating lagoon and viewing deck. We also plan to put up biking trails, meditation area and hopefully by Mach we have already completed all the facilities," Abesamis said.

To keep the park smoke-free, Abesamis appealed to people not to insist on entering their vehicles.

"As much as possible we do not allow the visitors' cars to enter the vicinity of the park. It is our responsibility to protect the nature and an element is to keep the air clean free of pollution, that is why we do not allow vehicles to enter the premises of the park. However, admittedly, sometimes it is hard especially if we have VIPs and officials visiting the place," she said.

Inaugurated on April 28 of this year, La Mesa Eco Park is a joint effort of the Quezon City government with Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Metropolitan Water-works and Sewerage System (MWSS), Bantay Kalikasan Foundation, private firms and other sponsors.

The establishment of the park was to uplift the environmental consciousness of the people in Metro Manila.

"The park may be a good place for them to value God's gift to mankind," marked Abesamis.

According to Delia Abesamis, La Mesa Eco Park administrator, the park has been there since the time of the Marcoses.

After decades of being overlooked, with the support of the Quezon City government and other officials, Bantay Kalikasan, private companies and donors, the La Mesa Eco Park on of the oldest park in Quezon City, was revived to a nature park.



 
#5 ·
^^ I am happy to see this. We had a thread before when there was an issue about certificates of title being granted inside the La Mesa Dam reservation and the beneficiaries are MWSS employees. Some big houses were already built. I hope that they had put a stop to that. The La Mesa Dam reservation should be preserved and protected. This is the main source of potable water in Metro Manila.
 
#6 ·
I really don't get why stuff like this doesn't get promoted more
it seems like all you see thats promoted in MM is the shopping, clubbing and intramuros.
imo tourists would probably like to go to parks like this and unwind. see a unique part of nature.
kinda like Stanley Park in Vancouver :)
 
#15 ·
This is just adjacent our subdivision in Commonwealth, QC but I didn't get to visit it the last time I was there.



HOW TO GET THERE
Take a Fairview-bound FX, bus, or jeepney. Or if you drive, drive to Fairview. You will be passing along Commonwealth Ave. and passing by the following landmarks: UP Diliman, Iglesia ni Cristo Templo Central, Ever Gotesco, Sandiganbayan, Litex, Mercury Drugstore Commonwealth (along Regalado Avenue).

For Cars: Turn right at East Fairview Subdivision’s Winston St. then right at Marlboro St. all the way to Pall Mall St. where you should turn left. Turn right at the first corner. You will enter the La Mesa Dam Guard House. There is only one road to take then turn left to the parking lot, in front of which is the gate to the park. The lagoon is further down the path.

For Commuters: Get off at the East Fairview Subdivision. At the gate, you should find plenty of tricycles that can take you to the Eco Park.
 
#17 ·
Kool Place,di mo mafefeel ang pollution ng Commonwealth pag nasa Eco Park ka, i like Rock climbing ,Boating, Rapelling dyan...syempre di mawawala yung Cycling,swimming at site seeing...nung punta ko jan may ginagawang hotel.
 
#20 ·
it's kinda weird that ngayon lang nagawan ng thread to while i was rooting for this back in the past QC threads... kaso puro malls na pinag-uusapan sa thread na yun... it's even harder to create a separate thread then with all the regionalism and everything.... (you know... post now kung hindi appealing, see it never sa frontpage) it's even weirder ngayon palang nagtatanong ang mga SSCers (specifically the oldies) kung saan ba talaga eto...

yes SSCers.. we do have a beautiful park in the metro...
 
#26 ·
Tropical Rainforests in the Philippines

Please post news reports and pictures of the tropical rainforests left in country today. Include the ones that can be found sporadically in the cities. For example:
Quezon City - La Mesa Dam Eco Park, NA Parks and Wildlife, and the QC Memorial Circle.
Manila - Mehan Garden, Chinese Garden, and the Manila Zoo( that is not only home to starving animals but also towering decades-old trees).
Laguna- Maria Makiling (UP Los Banos Botanical Garden)
 
#27 ·
Davao City still have alot of rainforests....just travel 15-20 minutes from the city centre and you're already on its footstep.

here's an example of recreating a logged area , the 80 hectare Eden Nautre Park this is 95% MAN-MADE rainforest !!!


Eden photos....








i'll post more .. the Baracatan rainforest in Toril which is just 15-20 minutes from city center.
 
#30 ·
@waway: kini way minutes....hahaha

“PTA Ground”, a 7 hectare sports area at the heart of Davao City, Philippines that has been the venue of athletic competitions and public activities has lately become idle as the city government pondered on its future as it plans to set up an athletic ground outside the center of the city.

Recently a decision was made to convert it into a nature park, the brainchild of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he patterned it after the 843-acre Central Park in New York City. The Human Development International lauds the decision of the Mayor to establish a mini forest park in the center of the city amidst bustling traffic and tall buildings for it will give people the opportnunity to commune with nature in the very heart of the city. Further instill a high state of public consciousness on the need to protect and preserve the environment. This project is part of the Mayor’s all out effort to bring a “people centered and ecologically balanced development” in the city as it grows to become a great bustling metropolis in the country and in the East Asian Growth Area comprising of countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and others. It is the largest city in the world in point of area and endowed with nature’s
beauty and resources making it not only a food basket but also an important tourist destination.

The mayor said big trees from other areas can be transported and planted in the projected nature park called "balling". The city government is determined to pursue this P70 Million project which will be a model for other cities to follow. It is expected that planting of the big trees will be finished by the year end.

Ian Jon Mendoza, HDI Philippines Executive Director and Ambassador of the Call to Save the Mountains of the World lauded the City Mayor for the remarkable project. Mendoza said, that said undertaking supplements the Call to Save the Mountains of the World done at Mt. Apo, Philippines last February 25, 2003 which the mayor himself has supported - a Davao Initiative that has become a global movement


Above: Proposed Lay-out of the Nature Park
Topmost Right: Shows trees being installed as an initial step in converting the newly elevated area.
Bottom: The Central Park in New York City from
which the idea was patterned by the City Mayor


www.humandevintl.com/hdforum/page22.html
 
#33 · (Edited)
I've always wondered why nobody in Manila considers copying New York's Central PaRK - it would be literally a breath of fresh air to the polluted Metropolis. This is the first time I've found out they're going to have one in Davao - thou I've never been to Davao it doesn't surprise me that they've got a project like this with Mayor Duterte - he seems to be a man who knows very much the value of time; preferring work and action over the more pleasurable debates, discussions, investigations our Senators are fond of. Isnt Davao also the place where firecrackers are banned? How I wish someone would copy that here in Manila, we dont need firecrackers - we could just have a "centralized" fireworks display like what they have in the US, Sydney and other major cities.
 
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