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This handout photo from the Quezon City government shows part of the reopened La Mesa Ecopark

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<p>MANILA — Surrounded by the urban hustle and bustle of Quezon City is a greener hub that guarantees a tranquil break to help citizens reconnect to nature. </p><p>La Mesa Ecopark, the ‘last ecological frontier’ of Metro Manila in Greater Lagro, Quezon City, combines conservation and tourism and, its tagline promises, offers “Wander. Wonder. Wow.” </p><p>Joining the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month, it opened its gate once more after months of rehabilitation under new management led by Manila Water Foundation (MWF) on June 29.</p><div><strong>WANDER in the greener sanctuary</strong></div><p>Away from the long endured hazy atmosphere, get lost in the beauty of strolling the 33-hectare park that provides a sanctuary of fresher air and cleaner water as part of its vision of providing biodiversity in the city — or ‘BiodiverCity’.</p><p>“But this 33 hectares is more than just a destination, it is a trail for us to appreciate, raise awareness and become environmental stewards to reinvigorate our passion in sustaining the La Mesa Watershed,” Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Leonor “Bobby” Cleofas said.</p><p>Part of uplifting the city’s ecotourism is encouraging collective effort in the ecopark&#x27;s four main purposes: Watershed Conservation, Biodiversity Preservation, Forest Protection, and Climate Action. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720404682423LaMesa5.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><strong>WONDER at jam-packed recreation </strong></div><p>La Mesa Eco Park offers a variety of recreational activities, <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">including paintball, wall climbing, rappelling, and archery tag, for visitors.</span></p><p>The eco-tourist space has prepared activities to reawaken the park-goers&#x27; environmental consciousness.</p><p>Nature walks give visitors a chance to explore the &quot;last lung of the city&quot;. The park, <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">in partnership with Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines,</span> also offers guided birdwatching.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720404610420LaMesa.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>The ecopark will reopen in phases, with the first phase featuring La Mesa Ecopark Administration Building, Eco Academy Pavilion, Viewing Deck, Souvenir Shop, Group Activity Area, and Picnic Area.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720405563418LaMesa-QCGov-paintball.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Quezon City government, handout</span></span></span></div><p>Phase 2, on the other hand, includes the lagoon, the Neptune garden, the flower hill, and Phase 3 will feature the greener aspect of the sanctuary or the forest area.</p><p>Campsites will be made available when these phases are opened to the public.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/5/4/another-last-lung-maybunga-rainforest-park-954">READ: Maybunga Rainforest Park offers respite from the heat and noise of Pasig</a></div><div><strong>Be WOWed by nature’s gift </strong></div><p>Biodiversity reigns when hundreds of species coexist with humans, a lesson that the ecopark hopes to teach.</p><p>&quot;We would to envision to transform the La Mesa Eco Park as a destination that offers experiential environmental learning and each visit will definitely reawaken or deepen our environmental consciousness by seeing there is harmonious existence and relationship among flora, fauna and human,&quot; MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal said during the reopening ceremony.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720405539099LaMesa-QCGov-Biodivercity.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Quezon City government, handout</span></span></span></div><p>Andal said there 220 species have been recorded in the ecopark, including 135 species of plants and 53 species of birds. La Mesa is also home to 22 kinds of reptiles and amphibians and seven types of mammals.</p><p>According to the park&#x27;s Facebook page, a recent study by the Center for Conservation Innovations found that it is home to more than 30 small animal species, such as the Lesser Dog-faced Fruit Bat and the Many-lined Sun Skink.</p><p>Colorful plant species like the Barringtonia asiatica can be seen in the La Mesa Ecopark while the Scale-feathered Malkoha, a species endemic to the noerhern Philippines, leads the bird species.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/6/296-flora-fauna-species-in-mindanao-mountain-ranges-threatened-by-human-activities-1603">RELATED: 296 species in Mindanao mountain ranges threatened by human activities</a></div><div><strong>A route to ‘BiodiverCity’</strong></div><p>Quezon City residents can enter the park for free while visitors from outside the city will be charged a minimal fee of P20 — a way to help the city give park-goers the best experience.</p><p> “There is a cutoff of 1,000 visitors per day,&quot; Andal said, adding guests will have to accomplish an <a href="https://manilawaterfoundation.jotform.com/form/241722603437452">online reservation form</a> prior to their visit.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720404751224LaMesa4.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>Alongside limiting the number of visitors, the park is also restricting operating hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays. The park is closed on Mondays.</p><p>By exploring the nature reserve, the public has the opportunity to witness the scenic beauty there, but also to become a part of the greater cause of biodiversity preservation and restoration. </p><p>“We are in a climate crisis, climate change, and it&#x27;s high time we understand the vital role that forests play in sustaining our planet. So by visiting the La Mesa Ecopark, you are contributing to a greater cause, which is supporting biodiversity and enhancing the climate resilient,” Andal reiterated.</p>

<p>Surrounded by the urban hustle and bustle of Quezon City is a greener hub that guarantees a tranquil break to help citizens reconnect to nature.</p>

Surrounded by the urban hustle and bustle of Quezon City is a greener hub that guarantees a tranquil break to help citizens reconnect to nature.

‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark

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‘Last ecological frontier’: Things you can do at the revamped La Mesa Ecopark

ABS-CBN News,

Kris Anne Mendoza,

Jomari Gimongala

Published July 08, 2024 10:39 AM PHT

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La Mesa Ecopark

Environment

Conservation

Biodiversity

Climate Crisis

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