Months after the Washington SyCip Park and the Legazpi Active Park in Makati’s Legazpi Village closed for renovations, the two landscapes have now been reopened for city-dwellers and people looking for shade amidst the buildings and skyscrapers.
The Washington SyCip Park is a lush and quiet space featuring Philippine trees like narra, bagras, mahogany, acacia, and more. To maintain the park’s peaceful vibe, there’s a koi-filled pond (which lights up at night), pavilions, restrooms, and art from Impy Pilapil.
Peppered throughout the park are notable words of wisdom and motivation from the late Washington SyCip, the business icon whom the park was named after.
My favorite part is the Japanese pavilion located at the back, near the parking. It’s so tranquil that you almost forget you’re minutes away from Greenbelt 1 and the restaurants and shops that surround it.
Across the street from Rada is the Legazpi Active Park, a smaller but busier park. It features a jogging path that snakes around the entire perimeter, an ampitheater, restrooms, and a colorful playground for kids and the kids at heart. Compared to SyCip, the Legazpi Active Park is more open as it has fewer trees.
The redevelopment of the Washington SyCip Park and the Legazpi Active Park were overseen by the Makati Commercial Estate Association (MaCEA), which also developed the green patios, the Amorsolo Greenwall, and other landscape improvements.
I like hanging out in parks because it’s a free space for everyone to hang out in. Bring a book, a friend, a lover, or family and you can sit in any of the spots with some food. It’s less crowded than malls so it’s a great alternative on a weekend morning.
The new parks don’t have any establishments in it like the Ayala Triangle Gardens, but nearby shops are Toby’s Estate, Purple Oven, The Curator Coffee and Cocktails, Swagat Indian Cuisine Philippines, and Greenbelt 1.
This story is in partnership with Ayala Land Inc. and MaCEA. For more information on Ayala Land, visit the website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.