GREEN SPACES or PARKS, Its Importance for the Quality of Life of our Increasingly Urbanizing Society – Burnham Park

 Kafagway was the name termed by the Ibaloi natives to Burnham Park long before the Spanish and American colonizers came to this land. But when the colonizers chronicle team came, they named it Baguio. It was derived from the native Ibaloi word “Bagiw” which refers to the mossy green plant that grew around the area where Burnham Park is now located. 

Burnham Park was the water hole and resting place of the Benguet natives during their hunting period. When traveling to the lowlands, this area was used for their refueling and washing.  

When the Americans came in 1900s, Baguio was only then a rancheria whose dominant feature was a large, low lying plateau called Kafagway with a large swamp now the Burnham Park. Some parts were planted with native vegetables and sweet potatoes. The Americans thought of developing this area for their rest and recreation hub because of its cool pleasant climate and studded with pine trees. As planned, they developed Baguio and designing the swamp area into a beautiful park.

This park was named after Architect Daniel Burnham who laid its plan. The park then was designed as an open space and green recreational park for the bustling city's much needed peaceful environment.

In other countries, a park is an area of open space provided for recreational use, usually owned and maintained by a local government. Parks commonly resemble savannas or open woodlands, the types of landscape that human beings find most relaxing. Grass is typically kept short to discourage insect pests and to allow for the enjoyment of picnics and sporting activities. Trees are chosen for their beauty and to provide shade. The parks are fully maintained and are used mainly for rest and recreation.

To date, Burnham Park is crowded, dirty and polluted. From time to time it is being used for trade fairs which the planners and organizers seem to overlook its and sustainability. It is believed that there is much profit being derived from proceeds during trade fairs enough for its maintenance but the takers say it goes to other deeds.

On one of the entrance to Burnham Park is the Igorot Garden. The people of Baguio City, visitors, traders and students use this area as their meeting place, rest and recreation. Others use this for trading or selling their products like selling newspapers, fruits and vegetables, shining shoes, massaging, manicure and pedicure and other trades for livelihood. We see other people playing dama, chess or cards. The monument of brave Igorot hunters and defenders stands on it. So it is but proper that this area be keep clean and maintained in reverence to the pioneers of this land.

Repair of the Park or digging treasures

Parts of the park have been or are being rehabilitated. It is therefore anticipated that this people’s park located at the heart of Baguio be refurbished according to its plans and specifications since parks offers many benefits to the citizenry, community, environment and the economy.

To a citizen, parks offer opportunities to enrich the quality of life for persons of all ages and abilities. Evidence shows that when people have access to parks, they exercise more. Regular physical activity has been shown to increase health and reduce the risk of a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes. Physical activity also relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety, improves mood, and enhances psychological well-being. Beyond the benefits of exercise, a growing body of research shows that contact with the natural world improves physical and psychological health. Older adults who participate in a variety of social and recreational opportunities benefit from the social connections and interactions that are fundamental to their well-being.

At the community level parks play a special role, they have something to offer everyone from young children and teens, to families, adults and the elderly; their presence can also be a cohesive force. They are more than places to recreate and relate to nature. Parks offer a multitude of opportunities to engage in arts and music. A park can be a community focal point, a symbol of its vitality and character, adding to its overall health, well-being and quality of life. It is key contributor to the aesthetic and physical quality of neighborhoods. Parks are more than recreation and visual assets to communities. They are valuable contributors to larger community policy objectives, such as public health, youth development, job opportunities, social and cultural exchange, and community building.

To the environment, parks, community gardens, greenways and other types of public open spaces benefit the environment. Whether greenfrastructure lands are in ball fields, trails, trees or public open space, they are on the job 24 hours every day serving critical environmental functions that contribute to many of life's essentials making water clean and safe for drinking, cleaning the air and returning oxygen to the atmosphere, and providing habitat for wildlife, biodiversity and ecological integrity. In fact, conserving land for people where they live, work and play is often the most cost efficient and effective way to achieving a host of environmental health and related public policy objectives.

To the economy, conserving community greenfrastructure, lands for parks, trails and other public open spaces is not an expense, but an investment that produces important economic benefits. Research verifies what we intuitively know about the value of parks and related open spaces. They reduce energy use and storm water runoff, increase the value of neighboring property, and improve academic performance among teens. Studies have also shown that crime is lower in the neighborhoods where parks exist and visits to hospitals and emergency rooms are reduced when kids are given a safe alternative to playing in streets and parking lots. The availability of recreation opportunities and park amenities is an important quality-of-life factor for businesses choosing where to locate and for individuals choosing a place to live.