Paseo, Jardin parkwalk, crowd drawers
Thousands of people, day in and day out, visit the Paseo del Mar near the Fort Pilar in Rio Hondo and the Paseo del Jardin in Pasonanca since the two facilities were opened one after the other last July 10 and July 17, respectively.
People from all walks of life—young and old, rich or poor, regardless of creed, race and culture—come in droves to feel the ambiance and see the scenery in both facilities.
Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed elation over the turn out of people who visit the two parks. Morning and afternoon and even before calling the day off, the mayor makes it a point to pass by the two facilities to see how everything is going and to check on the amenities such as comfort stations and even parking provisions.
“We invite all residents, please visit the Paseo del Mar and the Paseo del Jardin”, Lobregat, in almost all of his speaking engagements, say.
Paseo del Mar is the former CDCP area—a squatters’ area and home to numerous illegal transactions in the past. It was acquired and eventually cleared during the administration of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.
During the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat, funds for the development of the site were gradually included in the budget every year yielding the picturesque Paseo del Mar park.
On the other hand, the Paseo del Jardin park walk with food stalls is a component of the Jardin Maria Clara—a butterfly garden started by the late Mrs. Lobregat. The entire Jardin complex is home to two butterfly gardens and a scenery of a variety of gumamela, bougainvilla, ornamental and many other plant varieties. Centerpiece of the Jardin complex is the statue of the late Mrs. Lobregat.
Both Paseo del Mar and Paseo del Jardin park walk are established with foodstalls managed by concessionaires who offer variety of food products.
The development of parks and gardens is part of the City Development Strategies and is intended to intended to help preserve the culture and develop and protect the natural resources.
Barangay chairmen Abraham Sakandal of Zone 4 where the Paseo del Mar is located and Epigenio Julian of Pasonanca where the Paseo del Jardin is established expressed appreciation to Mayor Lobregat and the city government for the development of the parks.
Both Sakandal and Julian are amazed at the turn out of people in the parks every day.
Park promenaders in random interviews are grateful for having a forward looking city leadership, saying that the two parks can be equalled to the other famous landmarks in other highly urbanized areas in the country such as Manila. (Sheila Covarrubias)