Our favorite parks in Santiago

While we are used to having a yard to play in, living in an apartment in Santiago hasn't been so bad because the city is filled with public parks, green spaces and places to play. From where we live, we can walk to more than six play parks within 15 minutes -- and we do so regularly.

Trippie plays on the Spiderman webbing at Parque Bicentenario

Parks here are places to relax. At lunchtime, people have little picnics in them. In the afternoons, you can catch yoga classes at the park, and there are various skateboarding parks and running and biking trails.  Additionally, you find loads of snuggling couples throughout the city's green spaces, as well as multi-generational families strolling after lunch on the weekends.

Trippie plays with his brother Gavin at the park next to our building

Situated right next to Trippie's day school, we certainly frequent Plaza Peru the most. This is a neighborhood park for our area, and Trip loves it because he knows he'll see a little friend there (and because of the sand).

Little Trip plays with blocks at Plaza Peru

Ready, set: Slide!

Another park we love to visit is the El Golf park, in front of the San Francisco Catholic church. A little longer of a walk, the El Golf park is nice because it is shaded -- which is a must during the summer.

Playing on the up-down next to our building

Just a couple of blocks from our apartment, Parque Bicentenario is one of our favorites because there is a ton of room to run, multiple play sets and lots of public umbrellas and chairs for lounging on a nice day. Additionally, Parque Bicentenario tends to host neighborhood events, such as the fonda celebration during fiestas patrias, wine and food events, and even outdoor movies.

Parque Bicentenario on a beautiful fall day

Near my office, we love to play at Parque Araucano, which houses multiple play sets, a skatepark, rose garden and stunning views. Trip calls this park "the roundy park" because the play equipment is circular, and many times the boys go here while they wait for me to get off work. Parque Araucano  hosts similar events for the Las Condes neighborhood, and on Wednesday mornings, there is a feria that offers farm-fresh veggies at prices less than the grocery store.

Parque Araucano with the snow-topped mountains in the distance