Metropolitan landscaping
Introduction
The Santiago Metropolitan Park (abbreviated as PMS or Parquemet) is an urban park located in the city of Santiago, capital of Chile. Formed by the San Cristóbal hills "Cerro San Cristóbal (Chile)"), Chacarillas, Los Gemelos, Cerro la Pirámide, Cerro Polanco and Cerro El Carbón, and the sectors Tupahue, Lo Saldés, Pirámide and Bosque Santiago,[1] the park is located between four communes of the city —Huechuraba, Providencia "Providencia (Chile)"), Recoleta "Recoleta (Chile)") and Vitacura—and has over 750 hectares,[2] which make it the largest urban park in South America and the fourth largest in the world.[2].
The park was created in April 1966, to incorporate the National Zoo and the services of the San Cristóbal Hill "Cerro San Cristóbal (Chile)"), and its administration depends on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
Its administration maintains and conserves 16 urban parks distributed in 13 communes of Santiago with about 150 hectares. Its maintenance work is generated through "Conservation, Maintenance and Security of Urban Parks" projects, consisting of the execution of works such as cleaning, irrigation, replacement and management of plant species, conservation of urban furniture and equipment, phytosanitary control, weed control, fertilization and security among others.[3].
History
First uses and public campaign (1903-1908)
San Cristóbal Hill began to be used in 1903 with the installation of the Mills Astronomical Observatory,[4] currently called "Manuel Foster",[5] twin of the Lick Astronomical Observatory of the University of California.[4].
The main icon of the hill, the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception of Cerro San Cristóbal, was inaugurated on April 26, 1908.[5].
In 1916, a campaign began led by the mayor of Santiago Alberto Mackenna Subercaseaux and Senator Pedro Bannen that sought to transform the hill into a park and area for public use and recreation.[5].
On September 28, 1917, Law 3295 was published in the Official Gazette, which authorized President Juan Luis Sanfuentes to accept donations, buy or expropriate the land located between the Santiago Forest and San Cristóbal Hill, inclusive. These lands were declared of public utility and the bases for the formation of the future park.[6].