We all need a place to go to unwind and relax from the hustle and bustle of daily living. Especially now that there’s a pandemic going on, it’s hard to keep ourselves afloat. Some of us try to find new hobbies, some of us travel to great places. But how about doing both at the same time? The Philippines is known as a tropical country that has a lot of picture-perfect lush active parks. Even in busy cities, the government makes sure there are places available for breaks and leisure. Such as the Ayala Triangle Park in Makati. Meanwhile, for the citizens in Quezon City, their go-to place is lush La Mesa Ecopark. It is a public park covering 33 hectares of the landscape. Their attractions promote environmental awareness and conservation. There also interactive activities, allowing visitors to touch, feel, smell, and breathe in the natural environment.
The La Mesa Eco Park
The La Mesa Park and Resort was established in the 1950s. It was opened to the public and quickly became a popular picnic destination for Metro Manila residents until the mid-1970s. However, the Park was eventually closed due to neglect. The facilities were in disrepair. The QC government, the ABS-CBN Foundation, and the MWSS conceptualized the restoration of La Mesa Park in 2001. The “Save La Mesa Watershed Project” cost total of $247 million raised for the park’s rehabilitation. It reopened in September 2004 under the new name “La Mesa Ecopark”. Moreover, the goal was to turn it into a center for biodiversity conservation and environmental education. As well as to provide a venue for leisure and a true forest experience to the Filipino family. The existing swimming pool, bathhouse, picnic grounds, playground, kiosks, and pavilions were restored in 2003. The park eventually added more facilities.
Since then, a lot of visitors flock the place. Not only the Quezon City residents but even other Filipinos living in the nearby areas. Greeneries carpet the landscape amid a backdrop of towering trees. Allowing its visitors to jog, walk, and meditate surrounded by fresh air, and relaxing scenery. They converted some of the empty dam slopes into an amphitheater. They also planted several species of flowering plants to create the flower terraces on the main slope. It is the favorite part of people where they mostly sit to take a break and get their instagrammable photos. Indeed, La Mesa Ecopark’s simulated tropical forest environment is a healthier leisure option for Metro Manila and neighboring provinces’ residents. Furthermore, the Park provides budget – friendly, accessible, and safe outdoor recreation for families. You should definitely add this to your travel list and bring all your loved-ones.
The La Mesa Ecopark in the midst of pandemic
Residents of Metro Manila are finding it difficult to find a place to relax and engage in recreational since pandemic. Because malls are enclosed establishments, an open air getaway that is close to one’s home is much recommended these days. Thus, a lot of open parks and Al Fresco dinings opened to give more space reducing contact. There have been health and safety protocols mandated since the spike Covid-19. As of writing, they limit a maximum of 700 people per day to pursue social distancing. We have to follow these rules if we want a safe experience in the park. Moreover, people can book to ensure hassle-free visits at La Mesa Ecopark. Here are the list of La Mesa Ecopark’s health and safety protocols:
- Wear Facemasks
- Practice social distancing
- Check temperatures upon entrance. Visitor with higher than 37.5 degrees celsius are not allowed to enter
- Show the Quezon City QR Code or fill-out the contact tracing form
- Guardians should accompany minors or visitors aged 17 and below
- Bring hand sanitizers and alcohol
Guidelines and Tips in Visiting
Before going to La Mesa Ecopark, here are the things you should know.
- Bring IDs such as any government, company, or school issued ID
- They open from 6AM – 12NN on Mondays-Fridays and 6AM-3PM on Saturdays-Sundays
- There’s no entrance fee but you have to give minimum of Php 50.00 per head for vicinity maintenance
- The vicinity is huge. Bring your own water bottle also for extra safety
- There are food stalls. However, they mostly sell snacks and street foods
- Don’t leave valuables anywhere
- Bring enough money for activities, attractions, and souvenirs you want to try
- Keep the area clean. There are garbage bins all around the area
- Pet Friendly. You may bring your furry babies any time
What you can do in La Mesa Ecopark
As recently mentioned, there are interactive activities the La Mesa Ecopark is offering. There are also some breath-taking spots and attractions you should check out. You may choose any of these exciting things to do from the following below:
Activities
- Biking
- Jogging/Exercising
- Hiking
- Horse-back riding
- Rapelling/Bungee Jumping/Zip lining
- Picnic
- Swiming in the pool complex
- Fishing/Paddle Boating
- Archery
- Buy Souvenirs
- Try Henna Tattoo
- Camping
Attractions
- Petron Ampitheater
- Drilon Orchidarium
- Butterfly Haven
- Shell Flower Terraces
- Lopez Picnic Grounds
- Swimming Pool Complex
- Narra Pavilion
- Ipil Pavillion
- Souvenir Shops
- Henna Tattoo Stall
- Basketball Shootout
- La Mesa Dam
How to get there:
There are many ways to get to La Mesa Eco Park. It is also easy to find. Commuters should take a Fairview-bound FX, bus, or jeepney if they are coming from Espana or Quiapo.
Via Bus
- Take the bus going to Fairview and then go down to Regalado. From there, take the tricycle going to La Mesa Eco Park.
- Tell the bus driver from Alabang Bus Terminall you want to go to La Mesa Eco Park and to drop you off at the Winston Street tricycle terminal in East Fairview Park Subdivision. After that, get off at the Winston Street tricycle terminal.
Via Private Car
- Take the Commonwealth road from North Ave or Quezon Ave. Puregold is on the left side, so after passing by Puregold, pay close attention to your right since it’s where you’ll see Winston Street.
Via Taxi/Grab Car
- Ride a taxi or book a GrabCar from any point of Metro Manila or Nearby Cities. However, this will cost more money considering the heavy traffic and distance.
Thoroughly disappointing and grossly rundown. Two years ago, maybe. Some nice trees and plants. BUT . . . Nobody wants to rent their 500 pesos kubos, so the lunch you bring is consumed sitting on the ground. Nearly ALL of the exhibits are closed and locked! Whoever wrote the above article is lying about the low quality of the amenities herein! Sadly neglected now. Maybe if the politicians didn’t steal all of the tax revenue here, there might be some money left to maintain venues like this!
AND why is everyone required to wear face masks OUTDOORS? Is COVID still that misunderstood in Manila? People here wear face asks in their cars and while riding motorcycles? Absurdly inappropriate and totally unnecessary. Yet another heavy-handed ‘control’ move by the under-informed local authorities. Inexplicable nonsense.
I Agree.. The place where u can roam around the park is actually quite small. If u plan on biking don’t go here, go to UP biking area is around 30x bigger and it’s free. The comfort rooms are disgusting, there’s no amenities, and nothing much to see. the entrance fee here is a ripoff.
Hi good day ask ko lang if pwdi mang camping gan sa eco park. This Saturday or sunday thanks po
No po, picnic po pwede.
Magandang araw po. Meron po bang bike for rent dyan sa Loob? Yung regular bike na dalawang gulong po. Hindi yung merong passenger na parang pedicab. Thanks po.
Hello po , pwede po ba reserved or rent ang place nyo get together lang po sana pero mga 30 to 40 people sa dec 18th , please let me know if available at how much , thank you po.
Hi, please go to La Mesa Ecopark’s facebook page or inquire to them walk in.
Is it required to have a reservation before going to La Mesa Eco Park? We are planning to go tomorrow just to unwind. Hope I can get a reply here.
Hi, no need to reserve.
Hi! Until what time is the eco park open during weekdays? Is it still 6am-12nn? Thank you!
Yes po, 6 AM – 12 NN po Monday – Thursday, and then 6 AM – 3 PM Friday – Sunday
Hi, how’s your visit? Maganda Po ba experience? Planning to go there this weekend with kids.
It was great. Its a nice nature walk. Only thing is pool still closed but the picnic area is open.
me bayad po ba pag nagswimming?
Meron po, dati po 100. Maaring may taas na po pag nag open na pool nila
Pwede nanpo bang pumasok ang unvaccinated? Salamat.
Pwede nanpo bang pumasok ang unvaccinated? Salamat.
need to present po vaccination card
yung mga activities po ba dito is free lahat?I mean bukas po ba?
When we went po may mga closed pa like yung pool. Idk now po. Yes po may bayad mga activities
open ba kayo tom? what time to what time? plan to go there around 10am?
I think its 6am – 12pm. do check their site or google maps for hours of operation 🙂
Hi po! may place po kaya dun para bihisan and make up for prenup photoshoot?
Yes po meron po, ask niyo lang po sa guards.