La Mesa Ecopark — Attraction in Quezon City

The ecopark sits within a bigger facility known as the La Mesa Watershed, a forest park and reservoir which actually serves as the source of most of Metro Manila's water. The actual park with the recreational amenities is around 33 hectares and is, I think, the biggest park within Metro Manila. As you enter the park, you will be welcomed by a steel bridge with overhanging plants. About a hundred meters from the main gate is the information center and pavilion of the park where events are usually held. A small bahay kubo serves as the gate to the park where entrance fees are collected. They do have very reasonable fees of P50 for adults, P40 for Quezon City residents and free entrance for small kids (I believe 3 ft below) and senior citizens. A few meters from the pavilion is the entrance to the park (no vehicles allowed inside except for the ABS-CBN multicabs which services park visitors for free). The park by the way is partly administered by the ABS-CBN Foundation. The complex has two swimming pool areas- the old pool is undergoing renovation (we saw some slides being constructed) while a newer pool is open for public for only P80 entrance fee. Near the pool area is a man-made lagoon. They also have horseback riding for only 50 pesos good for two rounds along Narra Pavilion. Spending all day at the park can make you really starving, good thing there are food stalls and...

This day, a year ago. [ʀᴇᴅᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ], [ʀᴇᴅᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ], [ʀᴇᴅᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ], invited me to visit this special place. It was my first time going out with someone whom I've not known for even a year.

La Mesa Ecopark is a sanctuary, no wonder she loves it here. A place that offers lush green and much, much needed comfort and rest from daily worries. The sounds of chirping and tweeting surrounding my gorgeous lover in pink, engraved in my mind.

It was raining and cold when we went, though I never felt it. Her hands and welcoming aura is warm, pulling me in as if I'm home and in bed, wrapped with a blanket and about to fall into a deep slumber.

I wonder if the mark we left is still there. I hope the swing remembers the discussion we had, albeit a political one... you know what swing, don't think about that one.

This place is part of our home, a sacred place we both shared, and a memory that is set in now dried mud and stone. If you visit this place, just know that the moment you step foot in and the soil embeds into what footwear you use, that soil remembers us.

Hoping to come back here soon, with her! She is, without a doubt, my home.

ᴇᴅɪᴛ: ꜱᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ, ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴜᴘ. ꜱᴛɪʟʟ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪꜱ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ...

La mesa Ecopark is open to the public with limited areas open. We registered online beforehand, but the confirmation wasn't checked when we bought the tickets.

Went here on a holiday (2025) and the place wasn't crowded. Entrance fee is PHP20 if you're not a QC resident. They have bike rentals (PHP150- 250 rate per hour) but the area to bike on is pretty limited. The park has other activities you can try (mini rock climbing, archery, paintball shooting) and there are small stores you can buy meals from if you don't have packed meals.

About half of the park is closed including amenities like their swimming pool, flower terraces, orchidarium which is a bit disappointing. But the picnic areas had lots of benches under shady trees, so its still good to rest after walking. They also have free drinking water fountains so bring your reusable tumblers.

Parking wise, there's a lot of spaces, some with uneven paving.

How to get here via commute: From Trinoma, look for the UV terminal parking along EDSA and ride a van going to SM Farview. Alight at Pearl Drive, and ask for a tricycle to take you to La Mesa Ecopark.

Overall this is still a good place to unwind, just a few minutes away from the...