RESIDENTS of Metro Manila will soon enjoy the sights of Baguio’s famous Burnham Park with the plan of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to bring the tourist attraction to the metropolis.

As part of its reconstruction and beautification program of the metropolis, the MMDA will be building “Burnham Park” -like promenading places in government lands that have been left idle and useless.

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One such “Burnham Park” is being built in a swampy area beside a creek at Camarin road in Caloocan City, which is unpleasantly referred to as “Kubeta Village.”

The 1,000-meter grassy lot which is part of a relocation site for informal settlers is envisioned to become a public park for the enjoyment of local residents, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said.

Fernando said the park will have similar feature to Baguio’s original Burnham Park.

According to Baltazar Melgar, chief of the MMDA’s Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO), said his men has started shoring up the land’s foundation prior to the construction of the facilities.

“What we first did is to dig up the ground to minimize the flooding. Then we constructed a riprap,” Melgar said.

Riprap is a loose assemblage of stones erected in water or on soft ground to serve as a foundation. Atop this riprap is the park the MMDA will be putting up.

“We will have play facilities for children such as slides, swings… sheds and benches for everyone. We may also install a (water) fountain for additional aesthetics,” Melgar said.

“It’s more like a mini ‘Burnham Park’,” he added.

Fernando said the MMDA’s park development project is part of the overall thrust of the agency to re-develop the metropolis into a more livable and environment-friendly city comparable with the rest of the world.

“We are caregivers of lands. Instead of letting these lands sit idle, we might as well convert it to something that is more useful, such as public parks,” he said.

The Camarin project is the third “Burnham Park” the MMDA has so far built on the easements of creeks and waterways. The agency has built such park near the Chino Roces bridge in Manila and another one on a creek near Malacañang.

It is also putting up a park at the Bangkulasi river in Navotas. (AH/Sunnex)