La Mesa Ecopark Old Account

La Mesa Ecopark, a public park in Quezon City, supports the conservation of the La Mesa Watershed. MWSS built the La Mesa Park and resort in the 1950’s.

It was opened to the public and became a prime picnic spot for Metro Manila residents until the mid 1970’s. The Park was eventually closed, leaving the Park facilities in the state of disrepair. It was in 2001 that the QC government, ABS-CBN Foundation and the MWSS conceptualized the restoration of the La Mesa Park with the aim of creating the Park into a center for biodiversity conservation and e

nvironmental education and to provide a venue for recreation and a true forest experience to the Filipino family. The existing swimming pool, bathhouse, picnic ground facilities, playground, kiosks and pavilions were restored in 2003. The pool was opened to the public on April 2004. Other facilities were eventually added to the Park. The lower La Mesa Dam spillway was transformed into a boating lagoon while the other spillway was created into a fishing lagoon. The eastern corner of the dam slope was transformed into an amphitheater while the main slope was planted with several species of flowering plants to create the flower terraces. The eastern portion of the Park was transformed into an orchidarium which houses over 2,000 orchids/plants. An Eco-center complex is being constructed. This center will house the administration offices, the eco-museum, a multi-purpose lecture hall (where environmental seminars and workshops will be held) and public restrooms. Exercise stations were also constructed in the fitness trail. More improvements are being conceptualized for the La Mesa Ecopark. Description of Environmental Performance
As far as can be determined from historical information and existing facilities, the restoration of La Mesa Park caused very limited land disturbance. This is inferred from the fact that no major development has been introduced. Initial improvements are limited to the restoration of existing structures. In addition, the buildings that were constructed had limited footprints. Consequently, it is interpreted that the environmental impacts during the construction period are very limited and mostly confined to the working area. The construction could have affected some vegetation (but not trees). Water from the boating lagoon, fishing lagoon, and the swimming pool area is sourced from the spillover of the La Mesa Dam. Irrigation water is sourced from the fishing lagoon. The potable water requirement of the La Mesa Ecopark is supplied by the MWSS water system. Average monthly water consumption of Ecopark is 1,900 cubic meters per day. Primary treatment of wastewater in the Ecopark is through septic tanks. No major sources of air pollution were identified in the Park. Motorized vehicles are not permitted beyond the Park entrance. The Park Administration has enhanced the existing vegetation to create a lush environment. The La Mesa Ecopark aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation by using only Philippine endemic and indigenous species as landscaping materials. Park operation also provides income opportunities to kiosk operators, concessionaires and tricycle drivers servicing the Ecopark visitors. More importantly, the La Mesa Ecopark provides quality, nature based recreational opportunities. The Park’s simulated tropical forest environment is a healthier recreational alternative for urban dwelling residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Further, the Park provides affordable, accessible and safe family outdoor recreation. The primary objective of La Mesa Ecopark is to serve as a living classroom for environmental education and to showcase good environmental practice. Secondly, it aims to be center of excellence for environmental conservation through preservation of endemic flora and fauna. The third objective of the Park is to provide a venue for recreation and a true forest experience to the Filipino family. The fourth objective of the eco-park is to help support the reforestation and conservation programs of La Mesa Watershed. The La Mesa Ecopark is designed with a green in mind, consistent with the Park’s objectives. Attractions offered by the Park promote environmental awareness and conservation. Activities in the Park are also interactive, allowing visitors to touch, feel, smell and breathe the nature experience.

24/02/2025

Hello, Kapamilya! This is an old account of La Mesa Ecopark. Please direct your inquiries to https://www.facebook.com/lamesaecopark

La Mesa Ecopark An environmental hub that offers experiential learning and deepens consciousness on watershed conservation, biodiversity preservation, forest protection, and climate action.

OPERATIONAL HOURS:
Tuesdays-Sundays, 7AM-4PM
Mondays (Closed for maintenance)

18/02/2024

La Mesa, once a victim of deforestation, is now a thriving forest with more trees than ever 🌳

Kapamilya, our collective efforts have yielded remarkable results. Partners, donors, visitors, and employees – each one has played a part in this achievement ❤️💚💙

Each seed sown, each sapling planted, and each tree nourished brings LIFE. Thank you for creating life-giving moments in La Mesa 🫶

Whether it be with ABS-CBN Foundation or La Mesa’s new stewards, may we continue to protect our forests and our seas.

17/02/2024

From an ecosystem nearing collapse, La Mesa is now a sanctuary for wildlife 🏡 🦜 🐊 🐢

✨Indigo-banded Kingfisher
✨Ashy Thrush
✨Emerald Dove
✨Mangrove-blue Flycatcher
✨Red-bellied Pitta
among many others!

Kapamilya, we are forever grateful to you for being with us in building a suitable home for these birds, among many other species ❤️💚💙

May we continue to be role models in protecting our environment, Earth Warriors!

📸Photo of Black-naped Oriole by Sean Melendres

16/02/2024

La Mesa, which lost most of its forest cover before 1999, has gained back almost all of it 🍃 Today, it continues to provide shade, fresh air, and clean water.

🤝Partners
👐 Donors
👋 Visitors
💪 Employees

Together, we have achieved what once seemed impossible.

Thank you, Kapamilya, for journeying with us for a greener and better future for Filipinos ❤️💚💙

Let’s continue to support La Mesa’s new stewards in protecting our watershed!

15/02/2024

"It is easy to understand a love for another individual, even an animal. But for a place? This is a love so pure, I really wish all of you could experience it the way they have," expressed ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Roberta "Berta" Lopez-Feliciano about the genuine love of La Mesa's foresters for their work 🌱

In today's ceremonial turnover of the La Mesa Ecopark and La Mesa Nature Reserve, ABS-CBN Foundation, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, its concessionaires Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (MWSI) and Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) commemorated almost 25 years of La Mesa's rehabilitation.

Alongside this, these duty-bearers' role in La Mesa's further enrichment was emphasized.

As ABS-CBN Foundation closes this chapter with La Mesa, DENR, MWSS, MWSI, and MWCI start a new chapter through the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) 📖

Kapamilya, may we continue to support these new stewards, and in doing so, support the enrichment of La Mesa ❤️💚💙

As Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System - Corporate Office Administrator Leonor "Bobby" Cleofas proclaimed, "Ang tubig na dumadaloy sa ating kabayanan ay mananatiling dalisay dahil naaalagaan ang pinagmumulan nito…Higit sa aming pangangalaga sa tubig, lupa, at tao, ang aming pangarap para sa La Mesa Watershed: It is our mission to care for future generations."

May you continue to give justice to the movement that our Founder Gina Lopez dedicated her life's work to. Every Filipino is an Earth Warrior! 🫶

📷 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝘃𝗶𝗮 ABS-CBN Foundation’s 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗯 > 𝗔𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺𝘀 > [𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝟬𝟮 𝟭𝟱] 𝗟𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿.

12/02/2024

Sa oras na 5:06PM kahapon, si Glemar Pampanga ang huling bisita ng La Mesa Ecopark bago ang pansamantalang pagsasara nito sa publiko 🫶

Mula 2010 pa lamang, regular na siyang pumupunta sa Ecopark kasama ang kaniyang pamilya at mga kaibigan.

Isa lamang si Glemar sa milyon-milyong bisitang nakiisa sa layunin nating palaguin ang isa sa mga green spaces natin sa Metro Manila sa loob ng halos 25 taon ❤️💚💙

Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo, Kapamilya! Patuloy nating mahalin ang inang kalikasan at alagaan ang mga biyaya nito 🌱

12/02/2024

𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝘀𝗮 ABS-CBN Foundation 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲. 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗯 > 𝗔𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺𝘀 > [𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝟬𝟮 𝟭𝟭] 𝗟𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 – 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆. Tag niyo lang din kami sa mga post ninyo 🫶

12/02/2024

Kapamilya, maraming maraming salamat sa pagpunta sa La Mesa Ecopark kahapon!

Maraming salamat sa 25 taong pagsuporta sa ating proyekto para sa kalikasan ❤️💚💙

Makakaasa kayong magpapatuloy tayo sa pagsulong ng adbokasiya na mangangalaga sa kalikasan at mga komunidad. 🌱