Park or mall?

I saw a feature on the news last night where one reporter was relating how many of our parks are being neglected since fewer people are going to parks. Many apparently are spending their time in shopping malls; perhaps taking advantage of the air-conditioning to escape the often oppressive climate (too hot or humid for many). Granted, the huge shopping malls provide indoor environments that were designed by their developers and architects to attract people. There are so many activities one can do inside the mall aside from the usual window shopping. But then this is no excuse not to develop and maintain our parks and other open spaces. In fact, people in-charge of parks should look to experiences in other countries where parks are attracting people and not because of gimmickry but because people recognize their value in terms of benefits that can be derived from parks and open spaces.

I still often wonder how we only have few decent parks in our country considering the wealth we still have despite the tremendous degradation of our forests and the failure to secure and develop open spaces. Rizal Park or Luneta is still very much the place to go for a lot of people and it helps that there are other attractions around the park like an aquarium and the national museums (of which I hope to write about soon). Perhaps all cities should be reminded of their responsibilities to their citizens in as far as developing and maintaining parks and open spaces.

Photo taken at Luneta or Rizal Park in Manila in the 1970s - that's the old Department of Finance building in the background on the right

The UP Diliman campus is a haven for outdoor activity 7 days a week and especially during Sundays when is Academic Oval is practically car-free.

The evidence is strong that many people will go to parks and other open spaces if these are provided, maintained and secured (who wants to get held up or robbed while doing R&R?). The case for Luneta and other areas in Metro Manila such as the Parks & Wildlife, the Quezon Memorial Circle and UP Diliman (all in Quezon City) shows us that people would want to be outdoors and enjoy the good environment if such is available to them. The examples mentioned should encourage us to have more parks and perhaps attract people to come out and enjoy the outdoors for a change. Even simple strolls, after all, should grant one substantial health benefits. Matipid pa because there are minimal or no temptations for shopping around you.

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