Wright Park

Wright Park is a well-known free public park located at the heart of Baguio City in the province of Benguet. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Baguio City and it is situated near The Mansion and Teacher’s Camp. It offers local and international tourists lovely scenery, cool temperature, and horseback riding activity together with delightful gardens and tall pine trees.

According to its history, Wright Park formerly known as Pool of Pines is named after former Governor Luke Edward Wright who served as a Governor-general of the Philippines from 1904 to 1905 during the American colonial period in the Philippines. Governor Wright is the planner of the long shallow reflecting pool at the heart of the clean and spacious Wright Park. He is also the one who instructed Daniel Hudson Burnham to develop and prosper Baguio City for United States soldiers to have recreational facilities and leisure parks within the city. In the year 2020, Wright Park was shut down to the public because of the pandemic and infectious diseases affecting the health of the horses. Nevertheless, the Baguio City government announce 717 million pesos for the redevelopment of the park. In the year 2023, the park was now fully open to the public. As of today, Wright Park is one of the most visited parks in the Philippines. So if you want to give your family members and friends a trip to remember in Baguio City then don’t forget to visit this awesome and elegant park.

Name: Wright Park
Location: along Gibraltar Road and Baguio-Bua-Itogon Road, Baguio City, Benguet
Features: rectangular pond, pine trees, colorful flowers, and riding circle

My trip to Wright Park

In the past weeks, I wanted to disconnect from the chaos of the modern world. So one day, I joined a Baguio day tour trip with a visit to Wright Park. It was Sunday morning when our group arrived at Baguio City. A couple of hours later after our tour at the Mines View Observation Deck, our van starts heading to Wright Park. The driver drops our group in front of The Mansion. Then I noticed that many individuals and families taking pictures at The Mansion so our group didn’t hesitate to take pictures also even though at that time there was a lot of tourists.

After that, we start walking toward Wright Park. In the middle of the park, we noticed the alluring rectangular pool surrounded by huge pine trees, roses, sunflowers, and lush scenery on both sides. I think this is the main attraction of the park. The pool’s water is color green, it reflects the verdant vegetation inside the park and we love it. The pool of pines has a length of 100 meters and a width of 5 meters filled with lotus plants.

So we decided to stop for a moment to take pictures of the whole surrounding. Then I noticed that there were plenty of benches, blooming flowers, and eye-catching ornamental plants inside the park where visitors can rest, appreciate, and simply enjoy the wonderful view. Also, I spotted many families doing picnics because the park is such a great place for meaningful bonding moments. As we continue to explore the park we see many vivid plants that are for sale for reasonable prices. One member of the group bought plants and he told our group that the plants here are comparable to the ones sold at Baguio Botanical Garden.

Afterward, we decided to try the horse riding activity within the park, especially at the riding circle. The inner and outer circle of the riding circle is only for walking and running horses. There were lots of colorful horses to choose from such as white, black, brown, pink, blue, yellow, and mixed colors. A few moments later I feel in awe because it was the first time in my life that I ride a horse. It’s a superb and thrilling experience for me. In my opinion, these exhilarating ride experiences can become very great memories to cherish when I am already old. We rent the horse for nearly twenty minutes and all I can say is yahoo. I said to myself I would like to do it again in the near future. It’s definitely one of the must-try activities inside the park.

Afterward, we take one by one picture of the white pony with a shock of pink hair. According to one of the photographers I’ve talked to the horses inside the park are owned and operated by pony boys who are often a member of the Ibaloi community in Benguet province. The so-called pony boys are grown men professionals and they can lead the horse and watch the rider at all times for their own safety. In addition, he told me that Wright Park is often called a “ride park” by mostly little kids. Parents prefer to treat their young children to an hour’s pony ride where they can be discerned, and photographed throughout the day.

Then Fatima one of the members of the group told us that the hourly rate for horse ride was only five pesos back in the 1970s decade. Even so, the park now was more dazzling thanks to the plenty of pine trees and plants. Fatima has been to Wright Park so many times but she feels revitalized as she steps foot inside the beautiful park. Anyway, after riding a horse, we walk again and saw a lot of vendors selling strawberry-flavored taho and strawberry ice cream, so our group stop again and eat taho to satisfy our cravings.

Afterward, some of the group members rent and dressed in Igorot native costumes to have a good local souvenir photo. They dressed up in full Cordillera regalia together with a vest, headdresses, shield, and spear. After everyone got their pictures taken we decided to walk through the high-stoned stairways and kiosks of the park. Then we have our group picture at the pergola-like gazebo or concrete octagonal structure. We stayed at Wright Park for one hour and forty-eight minutes. Without a doubt, we have a good time in a clean and picturesque park and we enjoy every minute that passes. Later we have a food trip to Baguio City town proper.

How to Go to Wright Park

By commute

1. From Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay City, ride a regular aircon bus going to Baguio City.
2. From Baguio City, ride a taxi cab going to Wright Park or ride a passenger jeep with the signage of Baguio Plaza-Mines View Park on Governor Pack Road and alight in front of The Mansion. Then walk for a few minutes going to Wright Park.

By private car

1. Open your Waze app and Google Maps and pin Wright Park.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• Wright Park has no entrance fee and it’s open to all tourists going in and out of Baguio City. It is open daily from 7 am in the morning up to 6 pm in the evening.

• There are plenty of activities to do in Wright Park such as horseback riding, walking, jogging, photographing, biking, food tripping, and buying different kinds of flowers and bonsai. The horseback riding at Wright Park cost 300 pesos for fifteen minutes and it’s ideal for beginners riding a horse. Visitors have the option to ride the horse by themselves or with a companion. There are nearly two hundred horses to choose from and hire and I recommend Adonis, Julius, and Scott as your guide in horseback riding because they are well more experience and they take care of their customers by constantly guiding and keeping the correct time.

• It is very important to choose a horse that is proportionate to your size and height. So I would recommend you observe other horse riders before choosing one or you may ask the horse owner which one is perfectly suitable for you.

• If you bring your own car going to the park please make sure you arrive early in the morning because the parking space is very limited.

• There are many food stalls near Wright Park so you don’t worry if you don’t have food and drinks with you. In addition, there are open spaces inside the park which is good for family picnics.

• The best time to visit the park is during sunrise and sunset to have an unforgettable walking tour and avoid large crowds.

• If you opt to overnight in Baguio City, there are many hotels to stay at such as Hotel Elizabeth Fersal Baguio on Gibraltar Road, Kamiseta Hotel on Ignacio Villamor Street, Ridgewood Hotel on Barangay Lualhati and Albergo Hotel Baguio on Villamor Drive.

• Bringing pets inside the park is allowed. 

• There are restrooms and a washing area inside the park and you only have to pay a minimal amount for maintenance fees to use them.

• Photo sessions with colorful horses at Wright Park cost 50 pesos and renting Igorot attire cost 20 pesos.

• After exploring Wright Park you may go to The Mansion, Teacher’s Camp, and Baguio Botanical Garden because it’s only a walking distance from there.

• You can bring your own food at the park and set up a picnic space somewhere but be sure to observe the cleanliness in the area. Always put your trash in the designated trash can.

• Last but not least, there are budget-friendly stores that sell souvenirs such as strawberry jam, woven items, keychains, and t-shirts.
  
  
  

There you have it, delicate people. You could never go wrong going to Wright Park at the right moment and right time. Overall, I wish this Wright Park blog has been beneficial to you and to your loved ones. Enjoy your trip and have a nice day to you.