Makati CBD's Washington Sycip Park and Legazpi Active Park

We have been doing almost the same routine every Sunday for the past few weeks. Go to Don Bosco for mass, head straight to Walter Mart for lunch, do a quick grocery shopping at the supermarket, and be safely at home before Super T starts his meltdown at the supermarket. Though his "public performances" doesn't bother me anymore (I think my cheeks have developed calluses with all the stares I get from people everytime he gets his meltdowns in public, perks of being a mom - cheek calluses anyone?), the faint of heart (a.k.a Daddy A) might shrivel up and just curl into a ball under all those sensory assaults during Super T's concerts. 

The other week though, we decided to try and break the monotony and check out the parks in Makati CBD so Super T could enjoy the outdoors a little bit more. Daddy A and I remembered Legazpi Park during our working days in V.A. Rufino St, though it was called Herrera back then. I think this is also the location of Legazpi Sunday Market. 

I haven't been to Washington Sycip Park, however, and I was captivated by how quiet and peaceful the park is that day. There were very few people on the park, just a group of students (I assume) practicing some choral presentation, two ladies taking pictures at the bridge above the koi pond, and several people sitting down in one of the gazebos, and on some of the benches scattered all over the park. Soft relaxing music was playing on hidden speakers in the trees and the rocks, birds chirping from the trees around, the wind rustling the tree leaves causing them to fall down (this reminds me of autumn in Korea and Japan) Makati's skyscrapers rising above the canopy of the trees, and surprisingly, the hum of traffic from Makati's busy streets around it seemer to be kept out by an invisible shield. 

Falling leaves from wind rustled trees inside Washington Sycip Park

The Koi Pond

Bridge over the pond

The park almost seemed like an oasis of nature against the concrete desert of the Makati CBD. Unbelievably, it is only a few minutes walk from Ayala and Paseo de Roxas. The serenity inside the park was almost tangible, it was perfect.

Makati's skyscrapers rising behind the park's canopy of trees

Daddy A and Super T enjoying the vivid colors of the Koi fishes in the pond.

Well as perfect as it could be since I can't put Super T in  leash (I sometimes dream of doing so especially when we are outdoors, bad mommy, I know). Just literally seconds after that shot with Daddy A, he did a "now you see me, now you don't" trick on his dad and me. And well, to cut the story short, we managed to explore the rest of the park in just a few minutes too! 😂😂😂

I wasn't able to take proper pictures after that (making a mental note to take pictures if we get to go back there) but we passed by some park sculptures, rock benches, a kind of japanese zen garden with chinese bamboo planted over a white stone landscaped area (it was amazing), before we finally caught up with him in a gazebo. 

Rada Gate of Washington Sycip Park.

Then we're off to Legazpi Active Park. We exited Washington Sycip Park by its Rada St. gate to cross over Legazpi Active Park so Super T could burn up all his energy in the park's play area.

Legazpi Active Park Entrance across the street.

Legazpi Active Park landscape is a lot more open than Washington Sycip Park. Kind of like a grassy, miniature rolling hills type of landscape with a few trees in the middle and benches underneath tree shades dotting out around the perimeter of the park. Here we saw just a handful of people under the shades of trees inside the park, talking and having some snacks, reading a book, and well just hanging around. A few minutes later, a family came and started playing badminton. Super T zoned in straight to the play area and happily ran around until we have to drag him home. Nothing is ever easy with  this little guy. Sigh. 

Super T being "active" at Legaspi Active Park 😂

We went here after having lunch at Greenbelt 1 so we were parked there, but we noticed several cars are parked along the perimeter streets around these two parks and we can't see any MAPA officers in sight so I imagine parking around here is free during weekdays. 

The park has signs of "no smoking" and "no pets allowed" on its entrance, nothing about bringing food so I guess a picnic at this park is possible. So we'll definitely try it out the next time we visit. We plan to park on Gamboa St. or Rada St. then, buy food from any of the convenience stores around, or in Greenbelt 1, or maybe try the food stalls at Legazpi Sunday Market .I think the park's worth a second visit. :)

How to get there:

From Greenbelt 1's Paseo de Roxas exit, cross the street to AIM (Asian Institute of Management), turn right and walk towards Gomboa St. Washington Sycip Park has two gates, and one of them is along Gamboa St. You should see this gate on the right side of Gamboa St. after a minute or two of walking. 

If you want to go to Legazpi Active Park like we did, just walk towards the gate on Rada St., cross the street and you'll see the entrance to Legazpi Active Park.

Playground is on the right side of the park.

Park information: 

Washington Sycip Park (courtesy Wikipedia) 

Legazpi Active Park (courtesy Philippinechannel.net)