In 2012, we visited Berlin while summering in Europe. While in Berlin, we stumbled upon Templehofer Feld (Templehofer Park), an urban park converted from Berlin’s old Templehof Airport. As someone who studied urban planning at university, I couldn’t believe it – what a fantastic use for an old airport! Seeing this vast green space in the middle of a European capital city was amazing, and, more importantly, people and families taking advantage of the park.
Now in Quito, more than 10 years later, I was delightfully surprised to find out that Quito’s old airport – Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre – was turned into an urban park in 2013. Called Parque Bicentenario – to commemorate around 200 years of Ecuador’s independence from Spain – the 125 ha park (309 acres) is now the largest park in Quito. With a 4.4 star rating and only a $3 Uber ride away, we had to go check it out!

History of Quito’s (old) Airport
Before talking about the present, let’s talk about the past first. Before opening the current Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre in 2013, Quito’s only commercial airport operated on the site of Parque Bicentenario. Ecuador’s government originally built the airport in the 1930s to accommodate military flights. It wasn’t until 1960 that the formal international airport opened up, with new updates and infrastructure, to become Quito’s international hub.
But with Ecuador’s and Quito’s growth, the government already realized by the 1970s that a new airport had to be built to accommodate the growing city. While Quito’s old airport provided convenient access to the city, that was also its downfall. With the city already built around the airport, there was no room to grow. Furthermore, with Quito’s peculiar weather, being surrounded by mountains, and the tremendous air traffic growth, the airport was becoming dangerous to fly in or out of.

By 1989, Ecuador’s government purchased land in Tababela, just outside Quito, to build the new airport. Yet it wasn’t until October 2000 that the central government gave the City of Quito the authority to start work on the new airport. At that point, things came together to make the new airport a reality.
Quito selected the construction company in 2002. Construction started in 2006. And on May 9, 2012, the first (test) airplane landed at Quito’s new airport. Over the new few months, the new airport received more test flights to work out the kinks. And finally, on February 19, 2013, the old Quito airport shut down, and Quito’s new airport started operations on February 20. (Only three years late – how about that, Berlin?) Quito’s new airport’s arrival ushered in a new aviation era for Quito – and a new era for residents around the old airport.
The Future of Quito’s Old Airport
While the new airport is set in Tababela, Quito now had to ponder what to do with 309 acres of a blank slate in the middle of a dense urban city. Talk about an urban planner’s dream!
In 2008, Quito launched the Parque del Lago (Parque Bicentenario’s original name) competition for urban planners and architects to re-envision the old airport site. Quito selected the winning proposal in 2009 from architects Ernest Bilbao and Robert Sproull Jr. The architects imagined a site full of natural vegetation and the priority of pedestrians. The architects also planned a cultural center in the airport’s old terminal building.
The City of Quito issued a revised proposal in 2012 that included “a series of new public facilities…to turn Quito into a city that could host events and congresses, mainly through a 107,500 m2 multi-facility building that includes a venue for events, hotel towers and an arena, among others” (A.J. Salvador, 2022). Although this goes against the architects’ vision of an expansive green space for Quito, I understand why the city wanted to do this. Wide open land doesn’t often occur in dense cities, so cities must take advantage when the land opens up. In Quito’s case, using part of the land to spur economic development is also a noble goal while allowing plenty of park space and green space to occur.

Today’s Parque Bicentenario
Now let’s get to the fun! We visited Parque Bicentenario on a Sunday afternoon, which was quite busy. We saw many families enjoying the park, especially those with little kids. Many people and kids played soccer (fútbol) throughout the park, even just kicking the ball back and forth in small spaces. There are plenty of grassy spaces, so you’ll be able to find some space to call your own at the park.
Picnicking is also very common and relaxing with the surrounding green space. There are some street food vendors in the parking lot right before the entrance if you need to pick up some snacks or drinks, but not much else. Otherwise, you’ll want to bring your own food.
If you have young kids, there are a couple of playground areas for them to play in. The main area is called Zona de Juegos Yoyo (Yo-yo Playground), and it was busy when we went. However, there are a couple of other playgrounds around the park as well for kids.
There were also so many dogs – we couldn’t believe it! While we love dogs, the rules clearly state that dogs must be on a leash. Nobody follows this rule, though. It wasn’t an issue for us, but we saw a couple of times stranger dogs chase each other around with their parents shouting at the dogs to calm down. You may want to consider this if you plan on bringing your dog.
Many bikers did laps up and down the runway (how cool is it to say that?), as they have priority on the west side of the runway (the east side gives priority to pedestrians). I imagine how fun it is for bikers as it is tough to navigate Quito’s traffic-filled streets, not to mention the significant elevation differences throughout the city. Joggers and runners also can do laps around the runway as well! Note that on maps, the runway is referred to as Bulevar Amazonas (Amazon Blvd.).

Keep in mind the park itself doesn’t have much in terms of facilities, including a sparse amount of bathrooms. The bathrooms look like they are temporary bathrooms – although they are not – and there are only a couple of stalls in each bank. There are a couple of water fountains, including one with a water fountain for dogs. Also, note that there isn’t much in terms of shade or protection from the rain. Most trees are still young, so they don’t provide any cover from the elements. You’ll want to bring an umbrella and sunscreen as Quito’s weather can change quickly.
Special Areas of the Park
Besides the usual things you do at a park – relaxing, picnicking, and playing sports – Parque Bicentenario has a couple of cool features you may want to check out.
Museo Aeronáutico y del Espacio de la FAE
Ecuador’s Air Force Museum is located at Parque Bicentenario, which makes sense, considering the park used to be Quito’s main airport. The museum has old airplanes on display, which reminds me of the Udzar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles Airport. Even if you aren’t interested in Ecuador’s Air Force, seeing the planes is cool, especially for kids.
It is open Tuesday-Sunday, and admission is free!
Quito’s Old Airport Terminal
Although you can’t go inside, you can see Quito’s old airport terminal from the outside. While standing there, I was amazed to think that I was standing on pavement that countless airplanes drove over for decades. That people used these airplane gates to travel all over Ecuador and the world. I found it especially cool coming back home and searching for old videos of the airport on YouTube. I was standing right there!
Truthfully, only aviation buffs may find this exciting, but that includes me. I wish you could go inside the terminal itself, but apparently, Quito’s Tourism division now has its offices there.

Walking and Jogging Paths
On each side of the runway, there are two walking and jogging paths where pedestrians have priority. The west path – closest to the airport terminal – is called Sendero Los Alisos and is 1.5km long (almost one mile). The east path – Sendero Guabos – is 3km long (1.9 miles) but is far, far busier. We’d stick with Sendero Los Alisos for a much quieter, more enjoyable time. Note that bicyclists may use the path too, but pedestrians have priority.


Sightseeing Mound
At the southern end of the park, a sightseeing mound (I wouldn’t even call it a hill) lets you get good views of the entire park. You can also see good views of Quito in the background, especially looking south. Supposedly on clear days, you can see Cotopaxi Volcano, which is around 50km (31 miles) south of Quito. However, while in Quito in January, we have not had one clear day even to try seeing the volcano.

Bosque Amarillo
Bosque Amarillo – “Yellow Forest” – is a re-forested area on the park’s eastern side. If you like hiking or walking through nature, this is a cool place to visit and see natural beauty. Note, though, that it is not a hike; it is an easy concrete path. I wouldn’t say it is anything special, but if you are at the park, you might as well walk around.

Our Thoughts
Overall, it is a cool park, but we’re not sure if it is worth a visit while in Quito. If you are a biker or a hard-core jogger/runner, we recommend going because of how easy it is to do laps. If it is a clear day and you’d like to see Cotopaxi Volcano, then sure, you should go. Or if you are an aviation enthusiast and want to set foot on Quito’s old airport runway, see the old terminal, and visit the aviation museum, then yes, you should go.
Otherwise, we didn’t think the park was anything special. In fact, we much prefer Parque La Carolina as there is far more shade, far more places to eat right around the park, and it has two Metro stations connected right to it. And although Parque La Carolina is smaller, it doesn’t feel as busy as Parque Bicentenario on the weekends.
Important Details about Parque Bicentenario
If you are going to Parque Bicentenario, it is around a US$3-5 Uber ride from the Central Quito area (Simón Bolivar, Iñaquito, Carolina). Note that there are several entrances to the park, so we just chose one randomly on Uber. However, our Uber driver told us he would rather drop us off at the main entrance, labeled “Parque Bicentenario – Ingreso Amazonas” (Amazon River Ave. Entrance) on Google Maps. We listened to him, and we agree he was 100% correct. The other entrances are off weird cul-de-sacs and not close to the action. Also note that Ingreso Amazonas is where the Convention Center, the parking lot, and the street food vendors are all at.
The Quito Metro subway was not open when we arrived – it was still in the testing phase – but once open, there is a Metro stop that is somewhat nearby. Estación El Labrador is the northernmost station on the line, so you can’t miss getting off. However, unlike Parque La Carolina, the metro station isn’t actually at the park; it is across the street. But since there are only certain entrances to the park, you have to walk up Av. Río Amazonas to then enter the park. This distance is 1.1km (0.7 miles). Alternatively, you can walk to Ingreso Rafael Ramos on the east side, but it is about the same distance.
Finally, the park is open everyday and it is free to enter, but it is only open during the day.
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