Araucano Park (Spanish: Parque Araucano) is an urban park in the Las Condes commune of Santiago, Chile. Covering approximately , it is one of the principal green spaces in the commune and includes recreational, sporting, cultural and event facilities.
The park occupies the area bounded approximately by Presidente Riesco Avenue to the south, Alonso de Córdova Avenue to the west, Manquehue Avenue to the east, and Cerro Colorado Street to the north. Its eastern side is connected to Juan Pablo II Park by the Entre Parques footbridge over Manquehue Avenue.
The park contains extensive lawns and walking areas as well as children's playgrounds, a skatepark, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a skating area, picnic areas, exercise facilities, an aviary, a rose garden and an events center. It has also hosted cultural and recreational events, including concerts, festivals and other public activities. The park is adjacent to Parque Arauco and contains the CentroParque events and convention center.
History
Araucano Park occupies part of the former San Luis estate (fundo San Luis), whose lands were expropriated during the government of President Eduardo Frei Montalva as part of an urban redevelopment project known as the San Luis Model Neighborhood (Barrio Modelo San Luis). The project was initially conceived to provide housing for middle- and upper-income families.
In 1971, the government of the Popular Unity coalition under President Salvador Allende reworked the project as a housing scheme for lower-income families living in informal settlements in Las Condes. It was renamed Villa Compañero Ministro Carlos Cortés. Construction of buildings in the northern part of the property, originally intended for higher-income families, was suspended while development was concentrated in the southern sector.
The northern part of the former estate was subsequently transferred to the Club Deportivo de la Universidad de Chile in exchange for land in the commune of La Granja, with the intention of developing a stadium and sports complex. Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, the sports project was suspended. A swimming pool, the principal element of the project that had been completed, remained in operation in the area until 2011.
In 1979, a private group acquired the northern third of the former estate, adjacent to Presidente Kennedy Avenue, for a real-estate project that later became Parque Arauco mall. The property that had belonged to the University of Chile was subsequently sold to the Municipality of Las Condes to help finance reconstruction following the 1985 Algarrobo earthquake.
By 1984, the municipality had taken control of the land destined for the park and designed and developed Araucano Park as far as Manquehue Avenue.
In 2008, the municipality opened the eastern extension then known as Araucano Oriente, which was subsequently renamed Juan Pablo II Park. The two parks were connected in 2013 by the 120-meter Entre Parques footbridge over Manquehue Avenue.
In 2010, Thailand presented Santiago with Plaza Tailandia in Araucano Park as a gift commemorating the Chilean bicentennial and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Chile and Thailand. The plaza was inaugurated on 16 October 2010 by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Features and facilities
The park contains a 2,000-square-meter rose garden specializing in the display of different species and varieties of roses. It also has children's play areas, sports courts, picnic areas, an aviary and an events center.
The park's cultural and recreational uses expanded in the 2010s. KidZania Santiago opened in the park in June 2012. The facility occupies approximately and recreates a city at children's scale, with simulated workplaces and public facilities where children can participate in role-playing activities.
A free street-style skatepark opened in 2013. It covers approximately 3,000 square meters and is located beneath the Entre Parques footbridge on the eastern side of the park.
The park has also been used for cultural events, including film festivals, concerts, performances and other public activities. Its facilities include the CentroParque events and convention center.
Future Metro station
Araucano Park is to be served by the Santiago Metro's Line 7 at a station provisionally named Parque Araucano. The station was originally planned near the northeastern corner of Parque Arauco mall, but the planned alignment was subsequently modified and the station was relocated to the Cerro Colorado–Rosario Norte area on the northern side of the park.
Construction of the station has progressed as part of Line 7. The station's tunnels, platforms and mezzanine had been completed by late 2025, while the line's opening is projected for the end of 2028.
See also
Bicentennial Park (Vitacura)
References