People’s Park Davao — Attraction in Davao City

June 2025 │ Davao City’s People's Park used to be the “it” park when it opened in 2007 and was even awarded as one of the cleanest and greenest public parks in the Philippines at one time. However, as Davao City became more progressive, hosting more malls and shopping centers, creating more public parks and playgrounds, developing commercial spaces north and south, People's Park became the lesser choice among park-goers, domestic tourists, staycationers, and flaneurs.

Since this is open publicly and is exposed to the ever-changing weather of the city, the hardscapes and landscapes have been difficult to maintain; that some parts are really slippery with algae, lichens, liverworts and mosses. Even the growing tree roots and trunks are changing the land surface, including the cemented ones. The once lively fountain surrounded by works of art by the famous Kublai Millan is now dead and home to algae or pond scum. A pond nearby that was once home to live fishes is also dead with decaying leaves and tree debris. Some park benches are falling apart or are completely damaged.

Though there is clear dilapidation here and there, the park remains alive with visitors even on a Sunday especially from families and dating partners who enjoy the shade of the mini-forest. They make good of what is available within the compound. Students enjoy the open ground, and while fitness enthusiasts enjoy a weekend jog along the paved walkway.

I wonder if the scenery changes on weekdays cause some part of the area is closed on Sunday – the Durian Dome and the...

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The park covers an area of 4 hectares (9.9 acres).One of the main features of the park is a 425 square meters (4,570 sq ft) visitors’ center, the Durian Dome, which has a design inspired from the durian fruit. The Open Plaza hosts a rainbow walk through drive where some potted palms are displayed. The park hosts sculptures done by Mindanao artist Kublai Millan  which depicts indigenous people. A dancing fountain is also present within the park's ground. It has been described as "one of the cleanest and greenest public parks" in the Philippines. The athletic oval of the old PTA Grounds was converted into a bricked walkway dubbed as "The Promenade". At the center of the walkway is a dancing fountain which is said to be the first in Mindanao and a footbridge. The People's Park was created through the conversion of the old PTA Grounds or the Palaruang Panlunsod (lit. City Playground), a sporting and events venue of the city, into a park. The conversion of the grounds into the "PTA Park" which costed ₱71 million was commenced in July 2006. The park had a soft opening in August 2007 during the Kadayawan festival. It was inaugurated on December 15, 2007 and was named "People's Park" which was chosen among the 918 entries of the "Name the Park" contest organized by the city government. The winning name was by Romeo Sardon, a retired engineer and seaman.In December 2007, the project was 90 percent complete, with the other 10 percent to be implemented...