The La Mesa Ecopark recently marked a significant milestone, celebrating its first anniversary under the stewardship of Manila Water Company’s social development arm, Manila Water Foundation (MWF). The event, held at the park’s lush grounds in the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City, marked a year of environmental progress and celebrated the growing public commitment to sustainability.
The celebration highlighted the park’s transformation since its reopening in June 2024, following the end of ABS-CBN Foundation – Bantay Kalikasan’s management. Under MWF’s guidance, La Mesa Ecopark has embraced a new vision centered on four key pillars: watershed conservation, forest protection, biodiversity preservation, and climate action.
The event featured a presentation of La Mesa Ecopark’s accomplishments over the past year, followed by the ribbon-cutting of two new attractions: a butterfly garden and a pickleball court. A ceremonial tree planting of the Philippine native tree, Mangkono, underscored the park’s commitment to biodiversity. To further engage the public, MWF offered free entrance to the park for the entire weekend of June 28–29, inviting more visitors to experience the revitalized green space.
The anniversary event was attended by notable figures including Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios, MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal, and representatives from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the Quezon City Tourism Department, Knights of Columbus, United East Fairview Homeowners Association and East Fairview Homeowners Association.
“The first year has been about reintroducing the park to the public—not just as a recreational space, but as a vital environmental hub. For the years to come, we remain committed to transforming La Mesa Ecopark into a model for urban ecological harmony.” said De Dios.
Celebrating a year of impact and growth, from June 2024 to May 2025, LME welcomed over 120,000 visitors, planted 4,340 endemic forest tree species, and mobilized 1,461 volunteers contributing 5,844 hours of service. The park’s biodiversity profile includes over 220 species, with flora making up 61.4%, avifauna 24.1%, and herpetofauna and mammals comprising the rest.
La Mesa Ecopark offers a unique blend of conservation and recreation, featuring activities such as tree nurturing, soil bagging, seed potting, and guided bird watching. These environmental efforts are thoughtfully balanced with engaging outdoor experiences like paintball, archery tag, rappelling, obstacle courses, running and biking trails, bike rentals, and a variety of food concessions—ensuring that every visit is both meaningful and memorable.
While the public response has been overwhelmingly positive, MWF acknowledges the ongoing challenge of reshaping public perception. The foundation aims to gradually introduce more eco-friendly programs and attractions, ensuring that all developments align with the park’s ecological mission and minimize disruption to local wildlife.
Looking ahead, MWF plans to expand its offerings through further studies and community consultations, reinforcing La Mesa Ecopark’s role as Metro Manila’s last green frontier.
136
