Nature Tripping in the City
For most of us living in the city, relaxation would mean an out of town trip. With our fast-pace
d everyday life, we have no time to stop and smell the flowers or appreciate the little things in our surroundings. Fresh air is a luxury. And family bonding means a trip to the mall.
Unknown to many, a nature sanctuary is nestled right in the heart of Quezon City, where one can experience serenity, even for a while. The La Mesa Eco Park has been there for years. It has been rehabilitated a few years ago and is now open to the public again. It is a sanctuary for nature lovers, health buffs and for families who want to spend some quality time with each other.
Whatever your interests are, something will definitely suit you at the eco park. Enjoy a boat ride with friends at the boating lagoon, located just a few meters from the administration building. As you go around, you’ll have the view of the old dam. Fitness buffs have a reason to love La Mesa Eco Park. It has a fitness trail equipped with courses and obstacles designed to help improve the physical condition of the body. If you feel like swimming, you can do that, too. The eco park boasts of its saltwater pool, which is healthier, friendlier to your skin compared to regular swimming pools. Shaded by trees, surrounded by floras and varieties of orchids, the Orchidarium is a haven for horticulturists and of course, orchid lovers. It’s one of the most peaceful areas of the park. You can sit on a bench, read a book and you won’t even notice the passing of time. And, you get an extra treat from the birds with their melodious chirping. This area is also very conducive for students reviewing for an exam. No one will bother you here. Not so far from the Orchidarium is the amphitheater, a good venue for concerts, programs, stage plays and other cultural or artistic endeavor. You may also want to climb the stairs leading to the top of the flower terraces, where you can witness an explosion of colors when flowers are in bloom. After seeing these places, you can take a rest, eat lunch or snacks at the picnic tables and engage in a hearty chat with the whole family or barkada for as long as long as you like. You can even try the fishing lagoon for a catch or two that you cook after.
Personally, I wasn’t aware that the eco park still operates until a colleague asked me to take photos of the park for her newspaper article. My only knowledge of it is that it is part of La Mesa Watershed. Located in East Fairview, Quezon City, La Mesa Eco Park is very accessible. You can either drive or take a bus, FX-taxi or jeepney bound for Fairview and ask the driver to drop you off at East Fairview Subdivision. From there, ride a tricycle that will take you to the park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may also hike. Just make sure you ask for proper direction first so you wouldn’t get lost. For a very low entrance fee, commune with nature and breathe fresh air, because nature tripping is something that you can still do in the city.
This park within the city reminds of Nayong Pilipino during its heyday. My parents used to take me and my brother there when we were kids. That’s where I experienced fishing for the first time:)
Antonettes last blog post…Note from a procrastinatorathttp://sonnetshaven.wordpress.com
Salve: good fgor you, mare. buti ka nga nakapounta pa dun. but i’m thankful for places like la mesa and nayong pilipino. kaya lang wala na yatang nayon. sayang.
Maganda ang la mesa echo park, sana magkaroon din dito sa pasig ng ganitong lugar na mapapasyalan. namamasyal lang po at maraming salamat.
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Salve: maganda sa eco park talaga, pero marami pa ring dapat i-improve. kaya nga mas maganda kung mas maraming tao ang makakapasyal dun para mas ma-maintain at mapaganda pa sya.
di ba meron sa pasig na rainforest resort? di ko pa napupuntahan yun, pero mukhang maganda naman.
I’m taga-road widening road, shyness sa akin ever na kamakailan ko lang ever na-visit ang park na ito. pero fair naman ako kasi hindi rin naman ako napapadpad sa wildlife.hehehe.
I invite everyone to please visit ecopark… see how cool the place is and help to save our environment for only 40 pesos… sulong, look up, move on qc!
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Salve: hitokiri, at may argument ka talaga ha? hehehe.
dapat lang na bisitahin ang lugar na `to ng mga taga-QC. sulong!
bakit kelangan may bayad?
kaya tuloy mga tao satin nawawala ng interes magpunta sa ganyang mga lugar, e
hay…
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Salve: they need it for maintenance, raft3r. several private firms are sponsoring the rehabilitation of some areas. still, the eco park needs the help of the people. it’s a big place, kaya malaki ang gastos. 40 or 50 pesos lang naman ang entrance e.
Wala na mare, pinagkakakitaan na ng mga negosyante ang space that used to be Nayong Pilipino’s. Mga hayok sa pera ang mga yan eh.
Antonettes last blog post…Note from a procrastinatorathttp://sonnetshaven.wordpress.com
Salve: oo nga. nakakapanghinayang talaga yung lugar.
If my memory serves me right, the last time I was really so close to nature was during my high school retreat. And that was the time I feel closest to God, too.
There is an amazing feeling every time I see luscious green, hear the birds chirp, sit under the shade of a tree, smell flowers and be embraced by the wind. The beauty of nature just never fails you. :p
Sana sinama mo ako rito. Iyon un e. hehehehe
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Salve: Nature is one of God’s most beautiful gifts to humanity. We should start and learn to care of that before it’s too late and all that’s left to us are memories.
we missed visiting that place, pero meron pa naman next time e
dont tell me di ka nakarating sa nayong pilipino? maganda dun, sarap mag picnic, sarap mag emote at sarap magtampisaw sa putik kapag tag ulan, hahaha
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Salve: nakakahiya, but i never really had the chance to visit nayong pilipino. by the time i was old enough to go there on my own, it had been closed na.
wow! too yan, marerelax ka pag pumunta ka. ramdam mo ang katahimikan. feeling ko nga nung pumunta me para akong nasa paradise at biglang nangarap na sana, gusto ko magtayo ng haus d2 para tahimik kc tumatanda na. alam mo naman kailangan ang tahimik na lugar o diba? hindi kaya i-demolish ako ni bayani? aru!
Salve: ayun! inamin ding nirarayuma na nga!
That’s sweet! Parks and gardens are wonderful. That’s something we have plenty of over here in the UK
Many thanks for your visits to Norwich Daily Photo. I hope that you enjoy the colours of summer on my blog.
joy
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Salve: I wish there’ll be more parks and gardens here that people can visit, not just malls.
how are you, doc?
hi, nice blog you have here.. care for exchange link?..my site http://museekero.com
please visit and post ur comments. thanks. godbless.