LUNETA PARK: LAYOUT AND AESTHETICS

Three sections divide the park, the first is the Northeastern Section
that starts at the Agrifina circle, 16 hectares large, which formerly
houses the Department of Agriculture and Department of Finance,
now the location of the Department of Tourism and National
Museum of Anthropology. The second section is the Central
Section, a park proper that is 54 hectares large bounded by Roxas
Boulevard, Padre Burgos Ave. and Kalaw Ave. The last section is
the Southwest section traversing Burnham Green which is a 10
hectare open field, the Quirino Grandstand and Manila Ocean Park
along Manila Bay.

There are many gardens that can be found within the park and this
includes the following: (insert pics)
LUNETA PARK: A HISTORICAL GARDEN
Luneta Park or Rizal Park is one of the most popular spots in the
Philippines located at the heart of Manila. Surrounded by busy
streets like that of Taft Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, its green
display of variety of flora exudes the feeling of serenity and
calmness to anyone who passes by and wants to take a break from
the urban life. Aside from the lush greenery that is offered by the
different themed gardens within the park, this park also has
historical markers, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, an
open-air concert hall, an artists' sanctuary, a light-and-sound
theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds, and dozens of
fountains that makes it perfect for recreational and relaxation
activities.
More than just a park, this place has played an important role in our
history. Luneta Park has witnessed the struggles and hardships of the
Filipino people as we made transition from Spanish to American
regime, the British and Japanese invasion, then back to being an
American colony and finally gaining independence. Moreover, it is the
home of our symbol of nationhood, the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal
who is our national hero. Luneta Park is also situated adjacent to other
historical sites, like the famous walled city Intramuros, Quirino
Grandstand and many educational establishments like National Library
and National Museum of Anthropology. This is why a walk in this park
feels like more than just a walk in what seems to be a huge garden,
but it is a walk down the memory lane of the Philippine history.
Children's Playground
- This is a perfect place for kids to play and relax .
Chinese Garden
- This place contains ornate Chinese-style gate, carved with
swirling dragons, pagodas and gazebos that are set off by red
pillars and green-tiled roofs decorated with a variety of
Chinese figures. This place is perfect for people who
appreciate Chinese architecture.
Japanese Garden
- This place shows the beauty of Japanese landscape and
promotes the friendship between Japan and Philippines
Noli me Tangere Garden
- This garden features the Heidelberg park that Rizal used
to visit durinh his stay in Germany. This symbolizes the
friendship between Philippines and Germany
Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion
- This place showcase Philippines diverse species of
orchids and butterflies which is perfect for wedding
events
DESIGNER OF LANDSCAPE:
Luneta Park dates back to Spanish times when the Paseo de
Luneta was completed just south of the walls of Manila on a
marshy patch of land next to the beach during the Spanish
rule. Prior to the park, the marshy land was the location of
a small town called Nuevo Barrio that dates back to 1601.
Paseo de Luneta was the center of social activity for the
people of Manila in the early evening hours. This plaza was
arranged with paths and lawns and surrounded by a wide
driveway called "La Calzada" (The Road) where carriages
circulate.
In 1902, William Taft commissioned Daniel Burnham,
architect and city planner, to do the city plan of Manila.
Government buildings will have Neo-classical edifices with
Greco-Roman columns. Burnham chose Luneta as the
location of the new government center. A large Capitol
building, which was envisioned to be the Philippine version
of the Washington Capitol, was to become its core. It was
to be surrounded by other government buildings, but only
two of those buildings were built around Agrifina Circle,
facing each other. They are the Department of Agriculture
and the Department of Finance (now the Department of
Tourism and soon to be the Museum of Natural History).
Through the spring and summer of 1905, Burnham worked with
both Anderson on the plans for the Philippines, while Bennett
worked on the plan for San Francisco. Burnham and Anderson
found that Manila had mostly level land with a surface a few feet
above mean high tide, and the Pasig River running through it.
Also, the planners thought the developments in industry and
agriculture could lead to fast population growth. The plan states
that it aims to provide:
- Development of water-front and location of parks
and parkways so as to give proper means of
recreation to every quarter of the city
- The street system securing direct and easy
communication from every part of the city to every
other part
- Location of building sites for various activities
Government/National building group (including
the Capitol building and Department buildings)
* Should be configured in a single, formal mass
* Eastern front should face a semi-circular plaza
space, ideal for a national monument of compact
plan and simple silhouette RIZAL MONUMENT
Semi-public buildings (libraries, museums,
permanent exposition buildings) stretching from the
Government group northward toward the bridge of Spain
Railway station centrally located on the river and between
Pace and Pandacon, connected by its own system of
radiating arteries with all quarters of the city
--Development of waterways for transportation

A railway drawbridge over the Pasig
An additional port to the North of the river near the present
business and railway freight districts
Preservation and rejeuvenaton of the esteros, or narrow canals,
around the city as a source for freight handling and for beauty
An open quai along river-banks in the business parts of town
-Summer resorts
Suggestions:
Abundant foliage, fountains of water, and
a continuous parkway along the waterfront
Preservation of the system of canals, or
esteros
Streets conforming to the natural contours
of the land
A street system with diagonal streets
radiating out from the civic center to
outlying parts of the city

Placement on high grounds Design Elements:

Accessible/within easy reach of the city
Vertical Lines are prominent in the
in summary, the plan of Manila included
park due to presence of
A civic center: a grouping of cultural and
governmental institutions located near the bay and
monuments. There are several
south of the old walled inner city monuments that can be seen not
Major public buildings NOT in the neoclassical
style, but formally arranged only of Rizal, but there is also the
Special considerations due to the tropical climate monument of Lapu-lapu and other
Efforts to accomodate the manana ambience of the
Spanish-Philippine tradition bronze statues of people.
Space along the river and seashore for private clubs,
a luxury hotel, and public use Horizontal lines are evident in
Improved public facilities, but no public, low-rent
housing walkways and pathways through
gardens

Design Elements:
Form- the form of landscape is that
of radial arrangement where there
is a focal point and walkways and
pathways radiate from it. Also, the
form is similar to the Garden of
Eden concept of Mesopotamia and
Persian
Design Elements:
Texture- there is contrast between
the hard texture of bronze in the
monuments and the soft texture of
the green meadow. Also the soft
texture of greenery is refreshing to
the eyes.

Color- the predominant color of the

park is green which is refreshing to
the eyes of the people and makes a
serene and calm impact to the
people passing by. Moreover, the
walk through the different gardens
within exposed you to a variety of
colors of plants