Baguio Arboretum: A living collection of trees set to open as new green sanctuary along Leonard Wood Road

FEATURE

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — In a city known for its cool mountain air and pine-covered landscapes, a new green space is preparing to welcome people looking for a quieter place to walk, breathe and reconnect with nature.

The Baguio Arboretum, a living collection of trees and woody plants, is set to open to the public on October 19, 2026, according to the latest announcement from the Baguio Tourism office.

Located along Leonard Wood Road near the Botanical Garden and Forbes Park, the arboretum is envisioned as more than another tourist attraction. It is being developed as an urban green space for recreation, environmental appreciation and nature-based learning.

The site features forest trails, native vegetation and an elevated walkway designed to allow visitors to experience the greenery from within the tree-filled area.

From tree garden to green destination

The plan to develop an arboretum in the area has been in the works for several years.

As early as 2020, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) was pursuing plans to establish an arboretum near the Botanical Garden, including the planting of pine and ornamental trees and the construction of elevated walkways.

The project progressed through several phases, with the city continuing improvements in the succeeding years. A 2025 procurement listing included the Improvement of Arboretum Phase 4 at the Botanical Garden, Forbes Park and Leonard Wood Road.

In May 2026, CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas cited the Baguio Arboretum as among the city's long-term environmental enhancement projects, alongside the Happy Glen Community Park and the rejuvenation of Mines View Park.

Diwas has emphasized that parks and green spaces should be treated as important environmental infrastructure because they contribute to public health, ecological balance and climate resilience.

Opening delayed by storm damage

The arboretum's opening was initially scheduled for September 1 but was postponed after heavy rains and strong winds damaged the newly built Arboretum Walkway.

An estimated 30-meter tree fell onto the walkway during the severe weather, prompting clearing operations, repairs and safety assessments. UNTV reported on August 14 that authorities were undertaking the necessary work before the site could reopen to the public.

The delay also provided authorities additional time to assess the condition and safety of the facilities.

A place to pause

For Baguio residents, the arboretum could offer something increasingly valuable in a growing city—a place to slow down amid the traffic, buildings and daily activity.

For visitors, it adds another nature-based destination along Leonard Wood Road, complementing the nearby Botanical Garden and other established attractions.

But beyond tourism, the arboretum represents a different kind of urban development: one that preserves space for trees, walking, environmental learning and quiet reflection.

As Baguio continues to grow, the new green space offers a reminder that the city's identity is not built only on its attractions and development, but also on the trees and natural landscapes that have long defined the City of Pines.

Come October 19, the Baguio Arboretum is expected to open its gates as another place where residents and visitors can walk beneath the trees, discover its greenery and enjoy the cool mountain air.