Lake Park & Botanical Garden - De La Salle University Dasmarinas - Jake Escares

Let's admit it. Schools at first is a fun place where you acquire knowledge, friends, and experiences that becomes part of your life. But there will come a time that our school tends to be a stressful place, because just by merely stepping on it's grounds makes you remember all the homework,  projects, quizzes and deadlines that sometimes tend to pile up and sucks the life out of you. And probably the worst thing that could happen is when you reach the point that you'll realize, the school ground itself is getting dull, and boring, and just by looking at it adds up to the stress that the schoolworks brought you, and just decide to go home and relax or just kill the time.

But there are some schools that gives me the impression that even they can calm your stress and makes you still enjoy the day despite all the loads of school stuff that you're at. There's something about these schools that they always have a good breeze and relaxing aura, and makes you not want to go home yet. One thing common about them is that they are not all cement, all walls, all doors and windows, but rather, full of trees, grass, sceneries, and hot spots to stay and relax. Among those schools, this University is one that I never get tired of exploring, specifically their lakeside park, and the park-like botanical garden.

    De la salle Dasmarinas was already established way, way before, and was known from its continuous growth, slowly increasing its student and course capacity, but at the same time, creating innovations in its landscaping for the convenience of the users. One of which, the Botanical Garden, was established together with the institution, but was recently renovated from a merely space of organized plant collection, to a park-like design, with many access pathways and sitting areas. Though its more like exclusive to students only, i would still consider this as a 21st century park because of the purpose it upholds.

Generally, the layout of the botanical garden was a number of identical spots/areas which almost all were circular in form, interconnected by neat, medium wavy pathways, surrounded by pure greenery and some benches and covers. And as far as my observation goes, it seems to be divided into categories. By either their specie or families, or their function or something related to botanical studies. it provides a number of focal points, and would really ask for your time and attention so you can really appreciate them. But a very likable attribute of this compared to others, though haven't got any  information on its exact size, is its seemingly wide area, although I think it's because it's beside the lake that's why it looks wide, but it doesn't constrict movements so can really give a carefree ambiance.

After researching the concept of this garden, it came down to a design similar to any recognized botanical garden around the world, plants here are arranged in a particular systematic manner, designed to serve specific purposes like Scientific or Botanical Research, Educational Function, Aesthetic and Recreational Function, Conservation Function, and for Public Service (like UST, their plants are also labeled). It was just designed to a manner where even visitors can enjoy and stay while appreciating nature's beauty.

I haven't got any information as well regarding its architects and designers, aside form the priests who initially established DLSU itself. I was supposed to roam a lot more, but unfortunately i wasn't able to recharge my battery, so i cant use my camera anymore, plus i have to go back to UST because i still have classes. Anyways, it's not just because of this project, but since then I really and always admire the design of DLSU - D because of its landscaping that would really make you forget that you are inside a University. I love how they prioritized nature in conceptualizing this instutution.