La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Metropolitan park in San José, Costa Rica
La Sabana is a 72-hectare green space in downtown San José featuring a lake, sports fields, running tracks, and wooded sections. The layout provides different zones for recreation and serves as the city's main open-air gathering area.
The site was donated by parish priest Manuel Antonio Chapuí and functioned as San José's international airport from 1940 to 1955. The shift from airport operations to recreational park represents a significant turning point in the city's urban development.
The Art Museum of Costa Rica occupies the old airport terminal and displays works by national artists alongside rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Visitors can experience the country's artistic output directly within the park grounds.
The park is free and open daily with facilities for running, skating, tennis, and other outdoor sports. Morning visits offer a quieter experience since the space becomes busier during midday and afternoon hours.
Thousands of trees were planted between 2019 and 2020 to transform the previously open landscape into a forested environment. This reforestation project significantly altered both the park's appearance and its ecological character.
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