Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park - Negros Occidental

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park - Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CAPITOL LAGOON AND PARK Reopened

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Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park now open to the public

The Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Park, commonly known at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon, is re-opening today, December 16, 2017, after more than a year of being closed off to the public for renovations.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park - Negros Occidental
The Bacolod Capitol Lagoon in its heydays. Image from Wikipedia.

The Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park is the favorite public park of Bacolodnons because it is centrally located in the city, generally clean, and rather particularly safe. It has a perimeter fence and there are guards patrolling the area. They are certain rules that apply here, such as the prohibition of two-wheeled bikes that can hurt the people just walking or jogging around the park. It has public restrooms, too.

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So while it is a public park, you have a sense of safety strolling here even at night. During the day, people walked here to cut across the area going to the provincial offices. Many free events have been held here throughout the years. Or people just come here to unwind.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park
The Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Park at night. Many people come here during the night to unwind or exercise. Photo by Atty. Eli Gatanela.

Our family has so many memories at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon — evening strolls, feeding the tilapia, teaching our daughter to bike, or just simply have picture taking with our eldest daughter. We would often come here after a heavy dinner from among the many fine Bacolod restaurants. Our second daughter has yet to build memories around here.

The park is a property of the province of Negros Occidental that is accessible to the public, young and old, rich and poor. Even lovers like to just sit here and spend time with each other.

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When it is time for the Bacolod MassKara Festival, a lot of activities are also held here at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon landscaping
We love the yellow bells at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon. They were a backdrop to our many pictorials. We hope that they are still there when the park re-opens.

Closed for a Year

It can be remembered that this area was supposed to be improved by Ayala Land after the province awarded the development contract to them. The company supposedly had a P25-million plan to remodel the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon, as was reported in the papers.

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When it was first closed, we saw some work being done there but it only lasted maybe a couple of months and then stopped. But the area remained closed.

Capitol Lagoon and Park - biking for kids
Our eldest daughter has had many memories at the Capitol Lagoon and Park. She went biking here many times during the afternoon. Yes, kiddie bikes are allowed in the area. Our youngest daughter, is yet to make memories here

More than a year, the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon remained closed and the weeds have already sprouted. For more than a year, the people of Bacolod were denied use of their much-loved park.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park - Negros Occidental Capitol
We used to take long walks at the Capitol Lagoon and Park. Here’s a photo of my daughter in front of the Negros Occidental Capitol.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon Petition

One concerned Bacolodnon, Atty. Andrea Si, started an online petition to re-open the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon. Atty. Si and her husband used to take brisk walks at the park every night. When it was closed, they continued walking but did so outside the park, around the perimeter fence, which was a real bummer and a safety concern.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park online petition
The online petition started by Atty. Andrea Si to re-open the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon.

Fed up with this and not really seeing hope about the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon re-opening any time soon, Atty Si. launched an online petition with the website, Change.org, which I also supported. Thankfully, after a few days, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. ordered the completion of the unfinished improvements as well as re-opening of the park at the soonest possible time.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park
Mr. Vicente Villanueva cited this reason for signing the petition to re-open the Capitol Lagoon and Park.

Thank you, Atty. Si for spearheading this. And thank you Gov. Marañon for hearing us all.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon Re-opening

And it’s finally happening. Though the rain has dampened the city, locals are now jubilant because we are going to have our beloved Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park back. This is indeed a triumphant day for the people of Bacolod and a very Merry Christmas, indeed!

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park
A Christmas tree is now lighted in time for the grand re-opening of the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park. Photo by Atty. Eli Gatanela.

Find the Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Park on the map. It is across the road from Seda Capitol Central and a few meters away from Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

We now have the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park back! Are you happy? Share your thoughts below.

4 thoughts on “BACOLOD CAPITOL LAGOON AND PARK Reopened

    1. Oh you also do Tai Chi? That’s so cool. So hopefully, we can already start scheduling activities at the Bacolod capitol lagoon. But I was not able to go there together. The rains were unforgiving. huhu

  1. FINALLY!! I was starting to wonder why they have not opened yet when I no longer see any workers doing any renovations. Yet I am also disappointed because I was expecting more. I must have read wrong that they were boasting that Ayala had big plans and do big renovations for the park.

    1. True. Honestly, I was expecting a grander landscaping — more plants and flowers to appreciate at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon. But we shall visit one of these days, when the rains have subsided, because I also want to check the restrooms to see if there are improvements. I really hope so!

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