On any weekday morning, anyone driving along 5th Avenue going to McKinley Road will experience bumper to bumper traffic, and people walking by have to endure the loud engine noise, honking and toxic exhaust from vehicles.
Within ten meters from that corner, you can find yourself in a different world, where all the stresses from city can seem very far away. You will find a paved path where joggers, dogs and their walkers, yaya and their care can spend time leisurely, insulated from the morning sun, the noise and air pollution.
We are talking about the recently completed BGC Greenway located at the western edge of Bonifacio Global City and at the boundary of Manila Golf Club.
The BGC Greenway completed so far is 1.6 kilometer long, with a width of 2 meters. It was referred as BGC Linear Park in the Master Plan of Bonifacio Global City which was promulgated in 2003, and brought to life through partnership between Fort Bonifacio Global City and a group of active residents.
BGC Greenway is probably the best built greenway in Metro Manila, a sprawling city where public amenities are still woefully inadequate, if they exist at all. BGC Greenway is paved properly, has decent lighting, provided with some artistic trash cans, and is complemented by well-constructed drainage.
While developed countries have long recognized the physical and mental health benefits, environmental contribution, and in some cases the traffic management role of greenways, pathways that are pedestrian and cyclists focused, this is not the case here. In our view, BGC Greenway definitely adds to the value of the properties around it.
Photos
If we start from the northern end of the BGC Greenway, the first access point is beside the BGC Bus depot near Kalayaan Avenue.
The second access point is at the back of Forbestown Center, near Icon Residences.
The third access point is located behind De Jesus Oval next to Kasalikasan Garden. The inset photo shows entrance of the greenway viewed from De Jesus Oval.
The fourth access point is found behind the public art, Balanghai, located at the roundabout at the ends of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street, and beside Pacific Plaza Towers.
The southern end of the greenway is at McKinley Road corner 5th Avenue, behind Fairway’s Tower:
Watch this video if you want to know more about BGC Greenway.
