5 linear parks in Metro Manila you can visit and enjoy

Parks are an important element in a healthy and working city. These recreational spaces not only provide residents with venues and opportunities for exercise; parks are also great in managing our mental health as they give us a shot at socializing and pakikipagkapwa, warding off loneliness — that's apart from calming us down thanks to all the trees and the plants present.

According to the World Health Organization, each person needs nine square meters of urban green spaces. And having them 10 minutes away from us is ideal.

Space is a big constraint in Metro Manila, which is why there are hardly any parks in the capital. So seeing more and more linear parks sprout across the city is great news.

Significantly longer than wider, linear parks are a great way to introduce greenery to an otherwise gray and drab urban environment. They also help build a city's resilience to both extreme heat during summers as well as to flooding during rainy season.

Below are five linear parks in Metro Manila on our radar. Here's hoping more LGUs will make use of what little available space left and turn them into green parks for all to enjoy.

1. Pasig's Buting Linear Park

In October, Pasig launched the Buting Linear Park that has playground and exercise equipment, bike lanes and walkways, public toilet and sink, plus a basketball halfcourt and some greenery.

That's 3,170 square meters of recreation for residents of Barangay Buting. "Hindi puwedeng puro building," Mayor Vico Sotto said on social media. "Mahalga ang mga espasyong ganito para sa kalusugan ng bawat isa, at lalong mahalaga para sa development ng mga bata."

2. Makati's Tripa de Gallina

Back in 2024, Makati rehabilitated a creek and turned the one kilometer walkway beside it into a clean and pleasing park.

Apart from helping solve the flooding problem, Tripa de Gallina in Barangay San Isidro aims to provide residents with the much-needed recreational spaces. It features a playground, some exercise equipment, a greenhouse, and a rain harvesting tank, now proving essential for the El Niño.

The upgrade is part of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's flood control project, funded by the World Bank.

Tripa de Gallina is open to the public for free from 6am to 5pm.

3. Greenway Park in BGC Taguig

BGC definitely put to good use the four kilometer-embankment by turning it into a lush linear park. Residents, office workers, pedestrians, dog walkers, and those looking to clock in their steps are now enjoying the backroom greenery in BGC.

PHOTO: Danny Pata

4. Valencia Linear Park in Quezon City

In October, QC formally opened the Valencia Linear Park on Boni Serrano Avenue.

Measuring all of 125 meters, the Linear Park is right beside the Ermitanyo Creek and features a landscape design with permeable surfaces and a drainage system that helps with the flooding.

It is open to residents from 6am to 7pm daily.

5. Polo Riverwalk in Valenzuela

Valenzuela repurposed its old flood control structures into the Polo Riverwalk, launched in January this year. The 2.5 kilometer linear park features a cycling path, a joggers lane, refreshing greenery and patches of landscaped gardens. The park is pet-friendly and features benches, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and PWD-friendly restrooms.

A project of the DPWH in close coordination with the office of 1st District Representative Kenneth Gatchalian, the Polo Riverwalk is accessible from Marcelo H. Del Pinar Street and is open from 5am to 10pm daily.

But this is just the beginning. When the project is finished, the Polo Riverwalk will extend up to six kilometers and connect five barangays. — GMA News