Boat rides set to return to Burnham Lake

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Boat rides at the man-made lake in Burnham Park could resume by August as the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) nears completion of its P480-million rehabilitation project, officials said.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Tieza chief operating officer Mark Lapid inspected the project on July 9 despite rainy weather.

Lapid said the rehabilitation is now about 80 percent complete but acknowledged delays caused by the importation of construction materials. Tieza had originally hoped to reopen the lake in June.

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READ: Baguio City Council reviews titles, rehab plans for Burnham Park

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Closed since October 2025, the nearly 4-hectare (ha) lake has undergone a major makeover that includes a 2-meter-wide wooden boardwalk encircling the lake, reinforced embankments with concrete benches, a remodeled viewing deck and new docking facilities. Around 14 new boats are already stationed at the site.

“I can’t wait to see how it will look when the boardwalk is lined with plants and protected by railings,” Lapid said, recalling childhood boat rides at Burnham Park with his parents.

READ: Baguio starts Burnham Park rehab after 5-year delay

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He also expressed hope that the lake could soon be refilled, joking that Magalong “need not pray for more rains.” The lake normally holds about 34,000 cubic meters of water.

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The rehabilitation is part of Tieza’s long-delayed redevelopment of Burnham Park, one of Baguio City’s most iconic landmarks. The 33-ha park and its lake were included in the original 1903 Burnham Plan by American architect Daniel Burnham and have long served as one of the city’s principal public open spaces.

Plans to rehabilitate Burnham Park were first drawn up in 2013 under a national tourism redevelopment program, but implementation was delayed after funds were diverted to the government’s Covid-19 response.

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When the lake reopens, nine boat concessionaires are expected to resume operations. However, Magalong said operators will be required to replace the park’s iconic swan boats with new vessels as a condition for returning.

Lapid said Tieza is also reviewing plans for the next phase of the rehabilitation. /cb

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