People’s Park, Davao

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Part 11 of a series

DAY 2.

After touring the Tribu K’Mindanawan Cultural Village, I called it a day! Manong Driver brought me back to My Hotel and upon arrival, he charged me P2,000. That’s P1,000 for the gasoline and P1,000 for his “services”. Was it reasonable? I dunno. What do you think? It was my first time and I didn’t ask before we started the tour so I didn’t and I had no right to complain.

Anyway, when I arrived at my room, I felt exhausted! Phew! That was one long but well-spent day… So to reward myself, I decided to take a nap! Zzzzzz..

6:30pm – my alarm rang! It’s dinner time! But before that, I decided to walk to People’s Park.

People’s Park is located at the heart of Downtown Davao, beside J. Palma Gil and Jose Camus streets. Other landmarks are Casa Leticia and Apo View Hotel. From My Hotel, I just walked to the People’s Park since it’s just 2 blocks away and as I earlier posted, I feel so safe in Davao, as if I was a local.

People’s Park

The People’s Park opened in the second half of 2007. Before that, it used to be the “Palaruang Panlunsod”/PTA Park, which hosted the athletic meets and sports events in the city. But then it was neglected for years and became a lair for criminals and home for the homeless. For that, the local government of Davao City decided to undertake a 71-million peso development of the PTA Park envisioning it to be a landmark of the city in the future.

And the future is NOW, the 4-hectare park is now a landmark!

Everyone who enters the park needs to undergo a security check. All my bags were thoroughly checked. Aside from that, the park also has a built-in surveillance system. Talk about real security!

Upon entry to the park, one will be greeted by the 425-square meter visitors’ center built with a durian dome design.

Visitor’s Center; Durian Dome

Of the park’s over four-hectare land area, almost 10,000 square meters were allotted to plants; that’s more than 1,000 species of trees and wild plants from Madagascar, Borneo, Indonesia, Cambodia, Central America, Papua New Guinea, dark rain forests of Africa and ofcourse, the Philippines.

Baguio? Tagaytay? No. That’s People’s Park Davao!

While exploring the expansive park, I didn’t fail to notice the interesting and sophisticated gigantic sculptures around the park. They are actually creations of Davaoeno Kublai Milan.

Some of the creations of Kublai Milan

At the center of the park is bridge where one can see the whole park,

Mindanao’s first dancing fountain, and

a wide grassy area for events, concerts, or for those who simply want to squat on grass.

A fish pond with cascading water.

Among the main highlights of the People’s Park is a “forested area” which features a 10-meter high waterfalls against a backdrop of a man-made volcanic wall.

The sound of the cascading water is so relaxing, like music to my ears.

And with all those features and amenities, what’s a park without the people? Benches have been scattered throughout strategic areas in the park for the convenience of the visitors.

BEST OF IT ALL, access to the park and all its amenities is FREE OF CHARGE! I laud everyone behind the construction, operation and maintenance of the park as I feel that a city is not complete without a park! In this ever fast-paced generation, one needs to take a break from the hustle and bustle once in a while and what’s better than having a green respite at the heart of the city? You can visit the park with your family or friends or kung feel mong magsolo-solohan or mag-emo-emohan, then go! I can actually imagine myself just sitting and strolling around People’s Park the whole night long,… one of these days.

(…to be continued)

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3 Comments

1. 

   dinabaw

   July 27, 2010 at 6:14 pm

   sumsayaw na pala ang fountain? nice.

   Reply
2. 

   miko

   March 19, 2011 at 1:49 am

   Hi

   Very informative for my upcoming Davao solo trip this May…and some your stories made me laugh
   Sir,favor..Do you have Manong’s contact number?
   Thanks in Advance! More Power!

   Reply