Friday, March 26, 2010

La Mesa Eco Park: A Forest in the City

 


Inside the La Mesa Watershed and Eco Park is a dam and an ecological reservation site. It is a haven for nature lovers and even those just seeking a different environment in the middle of the crowded and highly-urbanized Manila. Trees are bountiful and grasses are green.  


 



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="en route to the eco park"]en route to the eco park[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1582" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Playground for kids"]Playground for kids[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1598" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="the pathway"]the pathway[/caption]

 

Many locals head to this place to take a dip in the only salt-water swimming pool in the city (said to be healthier than chlorine-treated pools) or just to spend time with their families over barbecue. The park does not restrict bringing of food. In fact, cooking and grilling areas are available for their convenience.  

 


[caption id="attachment_1583" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Rest Areas"]Rest Areas[/caption]

 

There are even pavilions avaliable for corporate functions or parties. Because of the contrasting environment inside the park as opposed to the urban scene of the metro, many couples choose to have their pre-nuptial pictures taken there with the greenery as their backdrop.  

 


[caption id="attachment_1579" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="water lilies"]water lilies[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Neptune"]Neptune[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1588" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Fish pond"]Fish pond[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1587" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Fish pond"]Fish pond[/caption]

 

For the active ones, the park has several recreational activities to shoo away boredom. There are areas devoted especially for boating, fishing, wall-climbing, biking, zip line, and paint ball games.  

 


[caption id="attachment_1580" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Fishing Area"]Fishing Area[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Monkey bars"]Monkey bars[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Boating Area"]Boating Area[/caption]

 

The La Mesa dam supplies most of the water supply of Metro Manila. You have to go up this steps to get a glimpse of the watershed.  

 


[caption id="attachment_1581" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="en route to the dam"]en route to the dam[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1584" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="La Mesa Dam"]La Mesa Dam[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1586" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="birds eye view of the park"]birds eye view of the park[/caption]

 
To get there, take a shuttle service (FX, van, etc.) bound for Fairview, Quezon City from Taft Avenue. You will know when you are near when you have already passed by UP Diliman, Sandiganbayan, and finally the Fairview market. Get off at Wilson Street and take an East Fairview tricycle to take you inside the park.

 


 


La Mesa Watershed & Eco Park
East Fairview Quezon City
tel. no: 632-4109670
website: www.lamesaecopark.com  

   

Operating Hours:
8am to 5pm daily  

Entrance Fee:  

Non-Quezon City residents - Php 40
QC residents - Php 20
Senior Citizens - Free  

Swimming Pool Fee:  

Adults - Php 60
Kids - Php 30

 


 

11 comments:

  1. thanks for dropping by & leaving a comment, Kseverny! :)

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  2. The La Mesa Eco Park is always featured on ABS-CBN everytime we watch Sineskwela before. I love the development the park has over the years.

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  3. thanks for dropping by... i hope the Park Authorities continue to maintain the place.

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  4. Hello. I just want to ask if the number you've posted at the end of your blog post is a cellphone number - 632-4109670? Should it contain 9 after 63? We're planning to visit the park this Sunday. I also want to ask if those recreational area are always active? We specifically want to try paintball games. Thank you in advance! I hope we'll enjoy the park too. :)

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  5. hi jastene! it's a landline number. "63" stands for the Philippine country code and "2" stands for the Manila area code. If you are here in Manila, you can just dial 4109670 directly. I am not sure if the recreational activities are always operational. But if you are going on a weekend, there is a good chance that they would be. There was a group playing paintball when we were there. I hope this helps. :) Enjoy!

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  6. hi...i just want to know if what restaurants are near the la mesa eco park?

    i'm planning to go there this coming weekend...thanks

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  7. hello, there are eateries/barbecue places inside the Eco Park... i hope my response is not too late. i just got back from a trip & wasnt able to check for any email/updates. Enjoy!

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  8. I got here yesterday and I found the place a very nice place to go with the whole family and friends.

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  9. it's nice to hear that people like you still appreciate places like the eco park. hope they continue to maintain the place.

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  10. hello po mag tatanong lang po kung sakaling e rent ung pool mag kano naman po mga 1oo n youth ung gagamit salamat po

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