People’s Park in Davao is a gem amidst the city’s concrete jungle. This 4-hectare public park provides a relaxing green escape from the usual city noise (and heat) for Davaoeños and visitors alike. With lush gardens, artistic sculptures, a durian-inspired dome, and walking paths, every visitor will certainly have plenty of features to enjoy.
Attractions
In this post, I walk you through some notable attractions inside the People’s Park of Davao City:
The Durian Dome
This imposing two-level durian-inspired structure (you can see it right away at the entrance gate) not only houses the park administration office but is also the place for several works of art, particularly photography pieces hanging on the wall. Other items are also on display for everyone’s pleasure, including reading materials about the city’s notable events and culture.
The Eagle Sculpture
This larger-than-life bird sculpture is also highly noticeable once you have entered the park because of its size. Spreading its meters-size, intricate wings and clutching a branch of a tree in its beak, the eagle creates an impression that it is as though it is ready to embrace visitors. The eagle sculpture is just one of the art pieces you can see inside the park by the famous local artist Kublai Millan.
Acacia Trees
It’s one of my favorite spots inside the park. It is a place inside the park where you can sit and relax under the dense canopies of acacia trees strategically planted in that area so that it still provides enough space to accommodate a huge crowd. There are plenty of benches under the trees where you can spend your leisurely time (it’s my favorite reading spot when I used to work nearby).
The Oval Track
The park also has a 500-meter oval track that anyone can use for free. That is precisely why the park is open as early as 4:30 AM, as many Davaoeños exercise there. Whether for exercise or simply roaming around, this oval track is a nice addition to the park for everybody to enjoy.
The Bridge
Right in the middle of the park – connecting the two sides of the oval track – is a bridge where people can climb up and have an overlooking view of the park, including the open ground framed with towering pine trees.
The Koi Pond
There is also a pond that serves as a sanctuary for koi fish. If you are lucky, you can see hundreds of them during feeding time, usually early in the morning. The pond is also a place where water plants thrive. During notable events, they (park administrators) power the artificial waterfall on, dropping cascades into the pond, creating a refreshing view for park-goers.
The National Museum of the Philippines Davao
Just a stone’s throw away from the pond – the site of the then-demolished Sunken Garden – is the newly-opened National Museum of the Philippines – Davao, where you can see different art pieces, artifacts, and other natural history exhibits, including preserved animals.
How To Get There
As mentioned, Davao People’s Park is in the city center. If you are coming right from the airport and riding public transport (jeepney), all you need to do is take a ride (just across the airport gate) with Bangoy or UM Bolton route, then alight at the Palma Gil intersection (or you can just tell the driver to drop you off at the spot nearest to People’s Park access.
