BAGUIO CITY — Bayan Park in Aurora Hill officially reopened its gates to the public on Wednesday, May 8, following a significant rehabilitation project aimed at transforming it into a vibrant, eco-friendly community hub.
The ceremonial ribbon cutting was led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, joined by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, city council members, City Environment and Parks Management Officer (CEPMO) Rhenan Diwas, and barangay officials representing the 13 surrounding communities.
“This is your community park,” Mayor Magalong told residents in his address, urging the 13 barangays surrounding the park to take part in maintaining its cleanliness and facilities.
“Your participation in preserving it will go a long way in ensuring that it can be enjoyed by the residents for a long time,” the mayor added.
The newly upgraded park, located in Bayan Park Village, is envisioned to be more than just a leisure spot.
It stands as a cornerstone of the city’s “parks-for-all” program—an initiative that seeks to give every citizen access to quality green spaces within a ten-minute walk from their homes.
Originally a quaint neighborhood park, Bayan Park has been reimagined as a wellness and recreation center with amenities such as a sunken children’s playground, outdoor gym and calisthenics zone, family picnic areas, a community amphitheater, jogging paths, and a skatepark. T
The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free access to most areas except the camping site, which requires a minimal registration fee.
City Environment Officer Rhenan Diwas emphasized that the park’s development was designed to strike a balance between ecological preservation and community recreation.
“This park is a green space meant to promote health, recreation, and community connection,” he said, noting that landscaping and tree planting were integral to the project despite the need to clear some areas for construction.
The two-phase rehabilitation project, which began in 2022, faced several delays but has now been completed with what the mayor described as “remarkable results.”
It now serves 13 barangays: Ambiong, Aurora Hill Proper, West Modernsite, Bayan Park Village, South Central, North Central, Leonila Hill, San Antonio Village, East Modernsite, Honeymoon-Holy Ghost, Brookside, East Bayan Park, and Brookspoint.
“Bayan Park will serve as the benchmark for all community parks that we hope to establish in the city,” Magalong said, reaffirming the city’s goal to replicate its success in other areas including Aguinaldo Park, Mines View, and Bakakeng.
With its formal reopening, Bayan Park not only offers a new destination for recreation and wellness but also stands as a symbol of sustainable urban development and community partnership.
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