The old PTA Park, as everyone in Davao should’ve noticed by now, has undergone a major renovation, and is due to be completed in December this year. It’s so named because of its having been the grounds used by the Parents and Teachers Association of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde High School way back when. If I’m not mistaken, the Association office had such a huge “PTA” sign, and so people started calling the place that way.
Right smack in the heart of downtown Davao, the new park, as before, will offer residents and visitors a place to unwind, relax and take in the city’s sights and sounds. The nearly 4-hectare park is nestled in the center of 3 hotels (The Apo View, Casa Leticia and Royal Mandaya Hotel) and numerous restaurants. Once finished, I imagine it’s going to be the perfect place for a quick break during weekdays, and for longer, leisurely strolls during weekends.
According to the city government, the new park will feature a biodiversity conservation facility with a miniature rainforest, children’s playground, jogging trail, a picnic area, an interactive fountain, a durian dome (visitor’s center), and more. But there’s one thing that it doesn’t yet have: a name.
In December 2007, the Office of the City Mayor will announce the official name of the new park. And there’s a contest! If you submit the winning entry, the name you suggest will live on in posterity, plus you get to take home Php50,000!
Here’s the set of criteria published by the PTA Park Management Office:
The name must…
- reflect the spirit and uniqueness of the new park
- position the park and its amenities in the hearts & minds of Dabawenyos, guests and visitors [whatever that means]
- have marketing and branding potential
- truly represent the people of Davao, its culture and history
- be easy to remember
It wasn’t in the press release, but I think the contest is open only to residents of Davao City. I’ll have to check this further.
To submit your entry, secure an application form from the PTA Park Management Office (located inside the new park) or from the City Administrator’s Office. Aside from the park’s name, you must also defend your choice with a very brief essay (not more than 300 words). Deadline for submission of entries is 30 September 2007.
