La Mesa Ecopark is located in Quezon City near the La Mesa Ecopark is located in Quezon City near the reservoir of the same name, which provides drinking water to about 12 million residents of the Metro Manila agglomeration. The reservoir covers an area of 2,700 hectares, of which of which the reservoir itself occupies only 700 hectares, while the remaining 2,000 hectares hectares are covered by forest. The huge green massif serves as the "lungs" of the city".
For a long time the territory of the reservoir was in a neglected state due to the lack of funding, illegal settlements on its shores, poaching and deforestation. Fortunately, in 1999, an organisation called Nature Watch was established, which initiated a project to save La Mesa. One of the goals of the project was to to restore the forest cover and improve the area. The total area in need of restoration was over 1,500 hectares, and today there are only 158 hectares left to plant only 158 hectares. Residents of Quezon take an active part in the project, who can adopt a tree.
In addition, the project has created a public park on an area of 33 hectares 40 metres below the reservoir. In 2004, it was officially inaugurated and named the name "La Mesa Ecopark". All revenues from its activities go to the protection of the reservoir area. One of the main objectives of the park, in addition to organising recreational activities is environmental education for children. Schoolchildren and students use the territory of the park and its surroundings as a "living" laboratory in the study of natural phenomena and processes. In 2006 alone, more than 280 school groups from all over the country visited La Mesa.
Today, La Mesa Ecopark remains one of the favourite recreational destinations of the people of Quezon and Manila. Here, special picnic areas are set up on 5 hectares of land, which are never empty. Water enthusiasts can swim in the saltwater pool. Catamarans are available for hire in a special artificial lake, another lake is designed for fishing enthusiasts. On the fitness trail there are 17 different zones with exercise machines and sports facilities, and the trail itself leads to a forest, where you can go mountain biking. The expositions of the ecomuseum familiarise visitors with the history of environmental education and the conservation movement. Finally, The Butterfly Ecotrail, which leads to the wonderful and beautiful world of these fragile creatures, is particularly popular.
