Arroceros Forest Park, Urban forest park in Ermita, Philippines
Arroceros Forest Park is an urban forest in Ermita featuring around 61 tree varieties and thousands of ornamental plants spread throughout the grounds. The park provides walking paths and resting spots beneath the canopy in the heart of Manila's busy urban landscape.
The site was once Parián de Arroceros, a major market during Spanish colonial rule, until fire destroyed it in the 1800s. The land was eventually transformed into a forest park to protect it and serve the public.
The name comes from its past role as a rice trading hub where merchants moved goods along river routes. Visitors can still sense the connection to the waterway that once defined this place.
The park sits near Manila City Hall and the LRT Line 1 Central Terminal station, making it easy to reach from different areas of the city. Visitors find it best to arrive early to enjoy the greenery and avoid peak crowds.
In February 2020, a city ordinance established the park as a permanent forest area, protecting the grounds from future development. This official designation marked a turning point for preserving green space in the densely built city.
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