The City Government will unveil on May 8 the new Bayan Community Park located at Bayan Park Village in Aurora Hill.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Environment and Parks Management Officer Rhenan Diwas described the newly rehabilitated park as “a green space designed to promote health, recreation, and community connection.”
It was a flagship project of the city that aims to bring quality parks closer to people’s homes.
Diwas said the park has the following amenities: dedicated jogging paths, skateboarding area, sunken children’s playground, outdoor calisthenics facilities, family-friendly picnic areas, community outdoor amphitheater and lush landscaping with more trees, grass, flowering plants and edible gardens.
“There’s more greenery, more space to move and more reasons to gather,” he said.
The Bayan Community Park rehabilitation and improvement project which began in 2022 aimed to transform the quaint barangay park into a vibrant community promenade center that serves not only as “carbon sink” or breather from pollution of the community but also as the recreational, relaxation and wellness haven of residents.
The first of the two-phase project focused on the construction of a 340-square meter sunken playground and the 580-square meter calisthenics and outdoor gym within the two-hectare park area.
The second phase involved the construction of an outdoor amphitheater for community events, a skatepark for skateboarding and comfort rooms.
Diwas said the park’s development plan was anchored on striking a balance between preserving the ecosystem and providing the recreational, relaxation and wellness needs of the people.
As part of the strategic plan, planting of tree saplings in designated areas of the park was done.
On the build-up areas, he said removing the green cover was inevitable to give way for the structures that will house the amenities for enjoyment by the park goers.
Landscaping and planting of ornamental plants and greenery is incorporated in the outdoor facilities.
Diwas said all the structures were planned and properly designed in conformity with the area’s topography which is a hilly slope.
For the playground, he said the materials for the play facility were chosen to ensure that they are structurally safe for children, non-slip and stainless and obtained from local suppliers.
The calisthenics and outdoor gymnasium on the other hand is designed for adults with special consideration for senior citizens’ safety when walking around or exercising.
The community park will benefit 13 barangays around: Ambiong, Aurora Hill Proper, West Modernsite, Bayan Park Village, South Central, North Central, Leonila Hill, San Antonio Village, East Modernsite, Honeymoon-Holy Ghost, Brookside, East Bayan Park and Brookspoint.
Bayan Park will serve as the benchmark for all community parks that we hope to establish in the city under our ‘parks-for-all’ program,” Magalong said.
The program’s vision is for every citizen to have access to a quality community park — a breathing space — within ten minutes by foot as an indicator of an improving quality of life in the city.
With the Bayan Park model, the city will endeavor to improve existing community parks like the Aguinaldo Park and build new ones in Mines View to provide residents their own community park apart from the existing tourist spot, Bakakeng and others with available spaces. All will serve as carbon sinks or “lungs” of the communities. – Baguio City Public Information Office
