A PATCH of Burnham Park in Baguio City is being eyed to become a “Walk Only” zone.
Lake drive has been identified by City Councilor Elmer Datuin as a family zone, where a small patch of road will be cut off from traffic to allow wellness activities to prosper in the city.
Datuin in his proposed ordinance wants to go back to the original purpose of the park.
“Baguio Burnham park was originally intended to serve as a wide green park that would serve as the breathing lungs if the city and later on designed as an areas for relaxation and recreational activities,” Datuin said.
Datuin’s proposed ordinance states all vehicles, except those city owned servicing the park, are prohibited to enter, use or park within the street between Melvin Jones football grounds and the Burnham Lake starting from Ganza restaurant to Solibao.
The road closure will open the way for more family related activities, Datuin said, adding that families can have a danger free access from the football grounds to the lake since the passage of vehicles at the lake drive also limits the total size of the park, which is impeded.
The ordinance states the lake drive street was not open to vehicles until Resolution 240, allowed the entry of light vehicles to decongest the traffic being experienced due to diggings done along the city’s main roads then.
The alderman said there is a need to close the street to retain the original purpose of the park as a peaceful environment providing fresh air and wide spaces where constituents and visitors of the city can enjoy being outdoors as a community free from noise and air pollution of vehicular traffic and designate this area as the family zone.
Session Road was also eyed for closure to give way to pedestrianisation, which has long been sought by advocates.
The measure is now on its second reading and its approval is pending after consultation with traffic groups. (Maria Elena Catajan)