HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Marikina River Park is a system of parks, trails, open spaces and recreation facilities along an stretch of the
Marikina River The Marikina River ( tl, Ilog Marikina) is a river in eastern Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the largest tributary of the Pasig River, with headwaters located in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Rodriguez, Rizal province. The Marikina River us ...
in
Marikina Marikina (), officially the City of Marikina ( fil, Lungsod ng Marikina), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 456,159 people. It is loca ...
, eastern
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
,
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
. The urban riverside park covers an area of running through the villages of Santo Niño, Santa Elena, Jesus de la Peña, San Roque, Calumpang,
Barangka Barangka is an administrative division of Marikina, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It is an urban barangay part of the 1st district of Marikina and is one of the oldest barangays in Marikina. Located along the southwestern border of Marikina, w ...
and Industrial Valley Complex in the western part of the city. The park, under development since 1993, is the city's biggest recreational and sports area containing the
Riverbanks Center Riverbanks Center (also known as Marikina Riverbanks/Marikina Riverbanks Center or simply Riverbanks) is an integrated development complex for shopping, recreational, business and commercial along Andres Bonifacio Avenue adjacent to Marikina River ...
, a mall and office complex, and the biggest roller skating rink in the Philippines. It is a popular area for camping, jogging, biking and other outdoor activities not just for Marikina residents but also for those from nearby cities in Metro Manila.


History

The park was developed as part of a rehabilitation program called ''Save the Marikina River Program'' by the Marikina city government. Launched in 1993, the program aims to reduce flooding and improve the Marikina riverbanks for better water discharge after a 1992 flood left 25% of the city under floodwater. The program involved building access roads to the banks to allow for the cleaning and clearing operations, clearing the banks of informal settlers and other encroachments, demanding the local industries along the riverbanks to set up water treatment facilities in order improve the river's water quality, planting various flora and building cultural, sports and other historical structures to draw residents back to the river.


Events and facilities

The Marikina River Park today is a focal point for community and cultural activities. It hosts the annual Mama Mary Fluvial Parade and Festival and the Marikina Christmas Festival. It has an amphitheater, floating stages for cultural events, a Roman Garden, Chinese Pagoda, a gazebo, riverboats and picnic grounds. Sports facilities include a baseball field, a basketball court and a skating rink. A youth camp and a senior citizens lifestyle center can also be found in the park.


References

{{Parks and plazas in Manila Parks in Metro Manila Buildings and structures in Marikina Redeveloped ports and waterfronts in the Philippines