SÁLÂ: Redeveloping the Minalin Sunset Park into an Interactive Public Space

Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) College of Engineering and Architecture - Bacolor, Pampanga

Project idea

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now obvious how important public spaces like parks, town squares, libraries, and playgrounds are. Public spaces were the only places for most of us to have some breathing room and a break from being cooped up in our homes because of the community lockdowns. Hence, developing the design and use of a public park in a rural area in the Philippines is the main goal of this project – envisioning a safe, efficient, and people-centered space for the people.

The three concepts of the park are waves, protection, and sun. This signifies the town of Minalin being a resilient and efficient community In the province of Pampanga since it is a coastal town. While the focal concept of the project came from the word "Sálâ" - a Kapampangan word which means 'light' or 'clarity'. "Ating sálâ, ating pag-asa" or 'when there is light, there is hope' - this connects the 3 sub-concepts, the wave, the shield, and the sun. The waves represent the location being in a coastal area, surrounded by water, and it is nearby a dam. While the protection or shield defines the resiliency of the people of Minalin, and the sun symbolizes twilight. However, the iconic structure located at the center of the park, is an abstract symbolizing the resiliency and spirit of every Minaleño who thrives in adversity and enormous odds.

The primary design intent of this project is to develop a safer, wider, and more efficient space for every Minaleño and to strengthen the quality of life in the town of Minalin. The new sunset park also aims to provide active and passive recreational opportunities - it is designed to develop community wellness, create connection spaces, and promote a people-centric community.

Project description

Parks are tangible reflection of the quality of life in a community - they provide identity for citizens. Parks and recreation services are often cited as one of the most important factors in surveys of how livable communities are. The existing Sunset Park in Barangay Sta. Rita, town of Minalin is like an esplanade or boardwalk built next to a river adjacent to the Minalin Tail Dike. Before, the area was a plain road called ‘Tabun Road’ – a connecting road to nearby towns of Minalin such as Guagua, Bacolor, Sto. Tomas and San Fernando. It was inaugurated on July 14, 2018, the park is famous for its sunset view and it is being visited by locals and tourists from other towns. During the height of the pandemic, Sunset Park was a top destination for cyclists, runners, and motorists.

The Proposed New Minalin Sunset Park has a total land area of 3,896 sqm. located in Tabun Road, Barangay Sta. Rita, near the boundaries of Barangay San Pedro and San Nicolas. The development of the park includes the creation of safe bike lanes and sidewalks along Tabun Road, adding more plants and greeneries, and installing solar-powered lights around the area. The space requirements of the project are: children’s play area, wellness/fitness area, food stalls, iconic structure with fountain, bike parking, viewing deck, pavilion, open stage area, picnic grounds, and seating areas. Through the development of this project, it will continuously promotes an active and healthy urban environment that is; walkable - ensures all citizens can access the park thru walking, and open areas such as seating and resting spaces that are safe and efficient.

Technical information

Minalin is a landlocked municipality in the province of Pampanga. The municipality has a land area of 48.27 square kilometers or 18.64 square miles which constitutes 2.41% of Pampanga's total area. Since it is a coastal town, construction materials used in the project are set to withstand water during flooding. The common flood damage-resistant materials are concrete, ceramic tile and bricks, and elastomeric paint. Particularly the main pavilion is made up of a solid concrete finish, also a new type of “concrete pavement” is used to address flooding whenever strong rains pour – the Topmix Permeable, the material allows water to quickly drain away from the surface of the street.