Pasig opens public park for remote-controlled vehicles as cities invest in niche hobbies

The new RC Park at Maybunga Rainforest Park captures a growing trend of local governments developing specialized recreational spaces beyond traditional parks and courts.

Pasig City has expanded its portfolio of public recreational spaces with the opening of a dedicated park for radio-controlled (RC) vehicles, offering hobbyists a purpose-built venue instead of relying on parking lots and other improvised locations.

Located inside the Maybunga Rainforest Park in Barangay Maybunga, the RC Park features ramps, rocks, bridges, uneven terrain, and other obstacles designed to simulate off-road driving. The facility is free to use and officially opened on July 5.

The RC Park joins a growing number of specialized recreational spaces being developed by local governments. Last year, Bacolod City opened the Bacolod Skate Park, billed as the country’s largest covered public skate park, while Valenzuela City inaugurated a Paw Park dedicated to dogs and their owners.

While public facilities for RC enthusiasts remain uncommon in the Philippines, the new park reflects a broader trend in urban planning: cities are creating spaces that serve not just traditional sports, but also niche hobbies and communities that have long lacked dedicated public venues.

As cities compete to become more livable, more public amenities may emerge, spaces designed around the diverse ways people choose to spend their free time.