Project Title: Queen Tuna Park Redevelopment
Location: P. Acharon Blvd., Barangay Dadiangas South, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines
Lead Architect: Ar. Estefany Marie S. Balolot
Collaborators: Ar. Mary Rose Sardiña, Engr. Ester Marian Balolot
Client: Local Government Unit, General Santos City
Site Type: Public Waterfront Park
Typology: Urban Redevelopment, Landscape Architecture, Climate-Responsive Design
Status: Proposed / Ongoing Implementation
Total Area: N/A
Project Description
The Queen Tuna Park Redevelopment Project proposes a bold reimagining of General Santos City’s only public beachfront—a critical urban space located along P. Acharon Boulevard. As part of the city’s long-term goal to become the “Green City of the South,” the park’s transformation serves as both an ecological intervention and a cultural revival. Spearheaded by Ar. Estefany Marie S. Balolot, the project prioritizes sustainable, walkable, and disaster-resilient design, while restoring the park’s identity as a shared space for locals and visitors alike.
Strategically positioned at the coastal edge of Barangay Dadiangas South, Queen Tuna Park (formerly Magsaysay Park) holds historical, cultural, and environmental significance. Yet in recent decades, the site has suffered from neglect, underutilization, and exposure to climate vulnerabilities. The proposed redevelopment reframes the park not only as a recreational destination but also as a climate-responsive buffer zone, a symbol of marine identity, and a catalyst for urban vibrancy.
Design Strategy and Program
The design framework is guided by four key principles: placemaking, climate resilience, accessibility, and sustainability. Each programmatic zone responds to both community needs and ecological imperatives, integrating passive systems and cultural elements into the public realm.
Key Features:
- Welcome Arch and Signage Zone
A striking entrance feature anchors the site visually and symbolically. Serving as a photo area and orientation node, the signage zone reintroduces Queen Tuna Park as a landmark destination while highlighting the city’s identity as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. - Multipurpose Performance Area and Water Feature
Centrally located, the water-integrated amphitheater functions as a gathering space for cultural performances, festivals, and civic events. The adjacent water feature enhances thermal comfort and provides visual continuity with the sea. - Tree-lined Walkways and Plant Strips
Shaded linear corridors improve microclimate conditions, guide movement, and promote walkability. Native plantings increase biodiversity while enhancing aesthetic coherence. - Viewing Deck and Baywalk
The elevated deck and extended baywalk create opportunities for contemplation, exercise, and seaside enjoyment. The design fosters environmental awareness through interpretive signage focused on marine ecosystems and climate change. - Children’s Playground and Active Recreation Zones
A dedicated play area features inclusive equipment for various age groups. It anchors the park as a family-friendly space and supports social interaction across generations. - Flood and Storm Surge Considerations
The park’s layout and elevation consider projected sea level rise, incorporating soft edges, bioswales, and permeable paving to manage surface runoff and mitigate flooding risks.
Material Palette and Sustainability
The project champions local materials, low-impact construction, and adaptive landscaping. Pathways utilize permeable concrete and natural stone, while bamboo and reclaimed wood are explored for site furniture. Trees are not merely ornamental; they function as carbon sinks, windbreaks, and thermal regulators.
Lighting and drainage are designed to be energy-efficient and low-maintenance. Where possible, solar-powered luminaires and rainwater harvesting systems are integrated, aligning with the city’s sustainability roadmap.
Cultural and Urban Impact
Queen Tuna Park’s reinvention positions it as a living interface between sea and city. As a coastal public space, it reclaims the narrative of inclusive waterfront access in a city undergoing rapid urbanization. It provides a counterbalance to commercial development by preserving a generous, ecologically sensitive space for collective well-being.
Furthermore, the park reinforces General Santos City’s branding by embedding tuna iconography, fishing culture references, and local narratives into the design. From community-led events to daily recreational use, the project aspires to support both identity-building and environmental stewardship.
The redevelopment also aligns with broader goals in the Philippine context, where climate change adaptation and equitable green space provision are becoming urgent urban priorities.
The Queen Tuna Park Redevelopment by Ar. Estefany Marie S. Balolot is more than a landscape project. It is a model of climate-conscious placemaking, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable urban development. By restoring a neglected public beach into a multifunctional, walkable, and resilient destination, the project offers a hopeful blueprint for waterfront cities across the Philippines—and Southeast Asia—to reconnect communities with nature, history, and each other.