In this massive city filled with active avenues, cars, buses  and people, there are an amazing number of parks and plazas. Our apartment is located very near one of the nicest. There is something there for everyone.*

Parque Tres de Febrero, also known as the Bosques de Palermo (“Palermo Woods”), is big (see map below). Sometimes compared to Central Park in New York or vice-versa, it has a similar scope and  flavor of activity. Suffice it to say it is a world-class park. Luckily for us we can walk a couple of blocks, cross Libertador and we are there. Not to get bogged down in the history of how the park came to be but  this is a good story. In 1852 Juan Manuel de Rosas was overthrown. It sounds like he might not have been a very nice guy which makes taking his lands and making a public park seem like a reasonable thing to do. That event (the overthrow) took place on Februrary 3, 1852. So for a little in-your-face irony the park was named Parque Tres de Febrero (February 3 Park). Touché!

The design was created by urbanist Jordán Czeslaw Wysocki and architect Julio Dormal, the park was inaugurated on November 11, 1875. French Argentine urbanist Carlos Thays was later commissioned to expand and further beautify the park, between 1892 and 1912. Thays designed the Zoological Gardens, the Botanical Gardens, the adjoining Plaza Italia and the Rose Garden. See, I told you this was good. As you can see on the map, this is a park with parks within and adjoining parks that extends quite a distance.

We go to Parque Tres de Febrero several times a week which is one of the benefits of renting an apartment a few blocks away. I know what you are thinking and you are so right, we have a ton of photos to show. Luckily the editor will manage the impulse to show them all. Let’s get started. The park comes alive on the weekends when seemingly the entire city comes to play and relax.

The centerpiece is an active, small lake where boats are available for rent and people congregate to relax and sunbathe.

A wide roadway circles the lake, cars are not allowed,  so this track gets filled with bicycles, rollerbladers, horse drawn carriages, walkers and runners.

It is an endless stream of people, all ages, shapes and sizes. Vendors line the streets with food, bicycles and rollerblades for rent, ice cream and goodies for the park.

A couple of things caught our attention in this people-watching meca. In one open area between tall trees these athletes perform some amazing feats of tight rope walking artistry. I was particularly drawn to this area, most likely explained by the family heritage.

Rollerblading is a popular activity. It is inexpensive to rent the skates and experts mix with weekend warriors. This self-made obstacle course gives the experts a chance to show their artistry. They are amazing…

For the less athletic or those inclined toward the romantic, there are these horse drawn carriages.

But there is much more to this park beyond the opportunity to exercise (which seems to be a national past time), relax with a picnic, or cruise the lake. For example…

This bridge crosses the lake and takes you into a park within a park called Jardin de Rosas….

The view from the top provides a perfect place for couples to gather.

Sr. Carlos Thays outdid himself with the design including the multiple bridge crossings.

This part of park has a definite European flavor…

You couldn’t have a world-class park without a fountain centerpiece.

Somewhere it states that there are over 12,000 roses in this park and there is no reason to doubt that statement.

The views are almost breathtaking. In this area, the white lattice-covered walkways are exceptional.

We need a separate post just for the statues. As you can see they are varied and placed throughout the park.

The picture below is a favorite, the light provided a perfect cast that communicates the peaceful setting.

In Florida they have Banyan trees, I am not sure this is one, but it is striking.

From the look of the picture below this could be taken on a weekday when the park is somewhat quieter. Sometimes after a mind-boggling Spanish lesson we walk over to the park to unwind and to review.

Time to go, so this post will end on the timeless rose…

*I mentioned there was something for everyone …