What to do in La Mesa Eco Park?
Saturday, February 16, 2013
With less plan and budget, we decided to spend our Saturday for a picnic and swimming at La Mesa EcoPark in Quezon City that was featured in an early morning show days ago (that's where we got the idea! wink!).
La Mesa EcoPark is consists of La Mesa Dam (where most of Metro Manila area got their water supply) and nature reserve.
With the help of waze - free mobile navigation application (thanks to the technology today), we easily located the park and arrived around 9AM. There were kids from different schools lined up at the entrance for their educational trip. On our case, hubby immediately looked for a parking space while I inquired for the fees.
Reception Hall - view from the parking lot
As of Feb 2013, the entrance fees are as follows:
P50 - non-QC residents
P40 - QC residents (proof of residency is required)
P20 - QC students (proof of residency is required)
Kids 3 feet below and Senior Citizens - FREE
With our new mat and food basket (that has lots of foodie kasi takot magutom), we made our way to the entrance and pay the corresponding fee.
Several steps from the entrance is the Butterfly Sanctuary. And from there to the first picnic ground (Lopez Picnic Ground) is a 200-meter walk.
Butterfly Sanctuary
While looking for a spot to lay our stuff, Kobe and his Ate Mylene went to the playground to enjoy the slides with other kids.
Play Ground Rules
Tables on the picnic area are free, however, you can rent nipa huts for P200 (which is advisable if you wish to spend your day here and you don't have your own mat or tent).
Picnic Area (free of charge)
Nipa huts for rent
After roaming around the park, I was able to list some of the activities that you can do:
1. Picnic with your friends or family.
2. Date with your loved one (moment itu!).
3. Biking.
3. Biking.
4. Swimming. Entrance Fee is P80 per head, whether you are going to swim or not :).
5. Boating/Fishing.
6. Bungee Jumping.
7. Horseback Riding. If I remember it right, cost is P120 for 3 minutes - just enough to finish the trail. Kids below 7 years old are not allowed to ride the horse even with a guide, unless it has a carriage.
8. Overnight camping. You might need to ask the management's permission if you wish to stay overnight at the park.
Or just grab your camera for some clicks on the park's scenic views. In fact, because of the park's good background for photo shoot, we witnessed two pre-nuptial pictorial...sweeeeeeeet!!!!
Though visitors are not allowed to go near the La Mesa Watershed, the place as a whole is well-maintained.
If you haven't bring your food, there are stores in Lopez Picnic Ground to choose from. There are also some stalls where you can buy souvenir items.
Souvenir Store
If you need directions to get to La Mesa EcoPark, you can visit this site.
I will update the cost of each activity once we visit the park again :)
I will update the cost of each activity once we visit the park again :)
Potch, if you want to see the jungles, and have a much closer look of the La Mesa Dam, the Nature Reserve is also open for P200.00 entrance (it's on the other side of the Eco Park). Although, there're no picnic grounds, most go there either to run or bike on the trails. You should try it too, it's a vast area of greens and trees to feel close to jungle nature without going out from the Metro. :)
ReplyDelete