Description of the attraction
Ecopark La Mesa is located in Quezon City near the reservoir of the same name, which provides drinking water to about 12 million residents of the Metro Manila metropolitan area. The area of the reservoir is 2,700 hectares, of which the reservoir itself occupies only 700 hectares, and the remaining 2 thousand hectares are covered with forest. A huge green area serves as the "lungs" of the city.
For a long time, the territory of the reservoir was in disrepair due to lack of funding, illegal settlements on its banks, poaching and deforestation. Fortunately, in 1999, the Nature Watch organization was formed, which initiated a project to save La Mesa. One of the goals of the project was reforestation and landscaping. The total area in need of restoration was more than 1.5 thousand hectares, and today only 158 hectares remained to be planted. The residents of Quezon are actively involved in the project, and they can “adopt” the tree.
In addition, the project created a public park on an area of 33 hectares, 40 meters below the reservoir. In 2004, it was officially opened and named “La Mesa Ecopark”. All proceeds from his activities go to the protection of the reservoir. One of the main tasks of the park, in addition to organizing recreational activities, is the environmental education of children. Schoolchildren and students use the territory of the park and its surroundings as a "living" laboratory in the study of natural phenomena and processes. In 2006 alone, more than 280 school groups from all over the country attended La Mesa.
Today, La Mesa Ecopark remains one of the favorite vacation spots for residents of Quezon and Manila. Here, on an area of 5 hectares, special picnic areas are arranged, which are never empty. Lovers of water treatments can swim in the pool with seawater. In a special artificial lake, catamarans are rented, another lake is for fishing enthusiasts. The fitness trail has 17 different zones with fitness equipment and sports facilities, and the trail itself leads to the forest for mountain biking. The expositions of the ecomuseum introduce the history of environmental education and the nature conservation movement. Finally, the Butterflies eco-trail is especially popular, which leads to the wonderful and wonderful world of these fragile creatures.
