Philippines: 21st Century Parks: UPLB Carabao Park

"A University park that adapts"

University of the Philippines Los Baños which is considered as an open university can be found on the town of Los Baños in the province of Laguna 64 km from manila. Carabao park which is situated in the campus is one of the few parks that is flexible on its time. Flexible because it change according to its current era. The landscape are frequently change to adapt the 21st century parks. It provides not only for the students but also outsiders to relax and spend their time appreciating mother earth.

The main facade (image in the left) has a symmetrical aspect on it to balance the diversion between two roads.It is also the facade for the whole campus itselft becuase it is located after the main entrance. At the center you can see through almost the entire park which has an inviting effect to people.

The park is in the middle of the two administrative office which lead also to another park called oblation park. Is serve as a gateway for people going deeper in the campus. If you are wondering why it is called carabao park because at the center of the park you can see two pillars sculpted with carabao heads which is sculpted by Guillermo Tolentino which later on became the national artist. These pillars serve as the symbolic landmark for the agriculture campus which later on replaced by the main pillars at the gate on 1967.

The park has a water features on the past but has been removed by the university itself because children often find themselves fallen at the pond. Today there are no water but just the plant box.

The open space (image below) is used as a place for placing a non-permanent artwork according to its occasions whether its holiday or a school activity.