La Mesa Ecopark to reopen in June with 'environmental awareness attractions'
Nature lovers will have a field day soon as La Mesa Ecopark is set to reopen its gates this June!
In an announcement by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System's (MWSS) concessionaire Manila Water, the public park located in Greater Lagro, Quezon City will open in June in time for the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and World Environment Day.
La Mesa Ecopark has been under MWSS's management since February this year. It was previously maintained by ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. for almost 25 years.
Manila Water stated that they have now been given the go-signal by MWSS to rehabilitate the public park in three phases, assuring that they will "transform it into a destination of choice that offers experiential learning on watershed protection and climate action."
The first phase will see the repairs of areas that the public can enjoy such as the Eco Academy Pavilion, museum, team building activity centers, picnic areas, souvenir shop, viewing deck, and swimming pool. These are expected to be completed before the gates open to the public.
Phase 2 and 3 of the rehabilitation will be done after the reopening.
According to Manila Water president Jocot de Dios, the water supply company will reinforce attractions within the park that will help promote environmental awareness among visitors.
"The La Mesa Ecopark will be a place to commune with nature without traveling far. Aligning with global conservation principles, each visit will be an immersion and appreciation of biodiversity in the city," de Dios said.
The park's transition to MWSS's management is in line with projects like the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) to develop a sustainable watershed by 2047 "as sources of clean and safe water."
La Mesa Ecopark previously underwent a renovation back in 1999 through ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Bantay Kalikasan arm. One of the key people who led the rehabilitation and renovation of the eco-public park was the late environmentalist Gina Lopez.
Among the activities you can enjoy in the park include hiking, mountain-biking, zip-lining, fishing, paddle-boating in the lagoon, and more.
A specific date for the reopening in June has yet to be announced.