Burnham Park

Burnham Park occupies the flat ground at the centre of Baguio, laid out as part of the city plan Daniel Burnham drew up in 1905 when the Americans decided to build a summer capital in the Cordillera - the same architect who planned Manila's civic axis and much of Chicago's lakefront. The park's centrepiece is the artificial lagoon, where families hire rowing boats and paddle in circles, surrounded by lawns, a rose garden, a skating rink, a children's playground and a long bike lane where hourly rentals of every kind of bicycle are available. It is where Baguio actually goes: early morning brings runners and tai chi groups, afternoons bring families and students, and the whole place is full at weekends. The city has grown far beyond the plan and the park is now enclosed by traffic and commerce, but it remains the green centre of a city that has lost a great deal of its pine.

History

The park, officially the Burnham Park Reservation, is named after its designer, the American architect and Baguio city planner Daniel Burnham (Wikipedia, Burnham Park (Baguio)).

What's there

• The boating lagoon - rowing boats on the artificial lake.
• The bike lane - hourly rentals along the circuit.
• The gardens - rose garden, lawns and the skating rink.
• The city crowd - Baguio out walking and exercising.

When to go

November to May for dry weather; Baguio is cool year-round. Early morning is quiet; weekends and the March-to-May peak season are packed.

Things to know

It is a busy urban park, not a wilderness - traffic surrounds it and the lagoon is small and often crowded. Boats and bikes are charged by the hour. Panagbenga in February fills it completely.

Nearby

Session Road is immediately above; Camp John Hay and Tam-awan Village are short rides away.

Key facts