Osmena Park: An Access to Davao City Tour Sites

Right at the corner of San Pedro Street and C.M. Recto Avenue is the Osmena Park just in front the San Pedro Cathedral. The park is a perfect place for a leisurely walk with the family in lazy Sunday afternoons.

Early Davaoenos, probably with the Bagobos, found this particular site a nice place to settle on. As time passed, the vicinity became a business hub, especially the part along Claveria Street. There were the Claveria theaters. Other nearby establishments like Datu Complex and Merco were along Bolton Street. Later, also in this vicinity, would sprout Osmena Park.

Claveria Street would later become C.M. Recto and the junction with San Pedro was the San Pedro Cathedral—and it’s still there today. Much of the facade is modernized but part of the original altar is retained and preserved. Directly in front is the Osmena Park.

City Hall is also not far away and also along San Pedro street. It used to be the old municipal hall but later a bit renovated but still looking pretty much like the original building. Osmena Park can be an ideal place for a breather for City Hall employees as well as visitors following up documents.

Being near Hotel Maguindanao and Royale House along C.M. Recto, Osmena Park may also be a relaxing rendezvous place for tourists waiting for the next itinerary or other companions still in their hotels. If we’re travelling in groups we may take different routes to tour the city, each group going to a spot of its preference, then later meet back at Osmena Park.

A group may prefer to see the University of Immaculate Concepcion along Bonifacio, some may want to take a peek at the Memorial to a Brave Son along Quezon Boulevard, or Aldevinco Shopping Center, or even Damosa Gateway in Lanang. Then at lunch time the groups may rendezvous at Osmena Park for a special meal at nearby Dencio’s.

Other hotels near Osmena Park are Aveflor Inn, Royale Mandaya, Marbela Mansion and Humberto Mansion. Public vehicles around the vicinity are available—jeeps, cabs, tricycles, and buses—and the surroundings are well maintained and clean, courtesy of the very capable city mayor.

Having a population with about 70 percent of the people fluent in Cebuano, the city decided to pay tribute to the Cebuano Osmena clan known for their excellent city leadership in Cebu. And thus, the Osmena Park. Cebuanos in Davao City can now feel a bit close to their place of origin.