One of the favorite destinations for picnics and outings in Cebu City is the D’ Family Park in Nasipit, Talamban. The park is part of a 20-hectare property of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), the primary public utility firm providing water to Cebu City. D’ Family Park is owned and operated by the MCWD and is the first of its kind in Cebu City that is open to the public.
D’ Family Park was started in 1993, by former MCWD General Manager, Father Francisco G. Silva. The park’s construction started in 1996, with its initial funding coming from former Cebuano Congressman Raul del Mar. The park was inaugurated and opened to the public on May 8, 1999. The park was envisioned to offer an alternative and wholesome recreation site within the city while at the same time promoting the importance of environmental conservation by showing the various flora and fauna found in the park.
The park’s facilities and attractions include:
swimming pools, for children and for adults;
a picnic camp site;
a vast children’s playground;
a wildlife sanctuary and a mini-zoo;
a botanical research garden with a plant nursery;
a multi-function club house and pavilion; and
a large covered stage designed to host shows, concerts, and other social activities.
The stage is equipped with a modern and up-to-date sound system. In front of the stage is a wide open field that is large enough to hold games and sports activities, concerts, and other activities that need a large space. Kiosks are also found in the open field.
The park complex is surrounded by trees of various sizes, which is the result of the MCWD’s reforestation efforts that began in 1983. The complex also has a one-hectare lagoon with some species of fish. Visitors with cars will have no parking problems as it has adequate parking spaces. It has a jogger’s path.
The park’s mini-zoo contains some species of animals native to the country such as eagles, ducks and a talking myna, rabbits, deer, monkeys, and the Philippine leopard.
The park is open to the public from Mondays to Sundays, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The park’s entrance fee is Php15 for adults and Php10 for children. To maintain the wholesome ambiance and family-centered orientation of the park, smoking and bringing and drinking of liquor is discouraged in the park.
For more information, please call MCWD at 254-8434 local 402 or 412-1836.
©MARY RUTH B. EBRADO
One Step Forward 