Parque Natural Cantalao Precordillera: A model of environmental and educational transformation

Discover the Parque Natural Cantalao Precordillera: A model of environmental and educational transformation led by Fundación Cosmos. A project aimed at highlighting the value of the Andean foothills through the renewal of an old Chilean military base, creating spaces for recreation and education.

Santiago de Chile, nestled in a valley surrounded by impressive mountains, is undergoing an urban transformation that highlights the Andean foothills as a key resource for environmental conservation and education. The Cantalao Precordillera Natural Park, located on the northeastern edge of Peñalolén, is an example of how an underutilized space can be transformed into a leading Environmental Education Center.

Infraestructura de Acceso Parque Natural Cantalao / Access Infrastructure of Cantalao Natural Park
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

The history of Cantalao Park has its roots in the dreams of Adriana Hoffmann, a prominent Chilean biologist and advocate for the Mediterranean forest, who envisioned a space where nature would be protected and transformed into an outdoor classroom. This dream began to take shape between 2016 and 2020, when the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) launched an initiative to develop the park on land owned by the Chilean Army.

Centro de interpretación / Interpretation center
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

The project was led by Fundación Cosmos, a Chilean non-profit organization dedicated to designing natural spaces for the protection and restoration of ecosystems. During this process, a detailed territorial assessment was carried out using advanced tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which allowed for the analysis of biodiversity, hydrology, and vegetation of the area. This analysis was crucial in developing a Master Plan that balanced conservation, accessibility, and education.

“Our approach was to create a space that not only protected the Mediterranean ecosystem but also became a meeting point for the community and a driver of learning about sustainability,” says Felipe Correa, project director at Fundación Cosmos.

Niños usando los juegos de cuerdas / Kids using the rope playground
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

Inspired by sustainable management and collaboration, Fundación Cosmos designed a plan that included renovated infrastructure, educational programs, and recreational areas. Once used as military infrastructure, the stables were transformed into the administration and services center, with a design incorporating pyramid-shaped domes inspired by the peaks of the Sierra de Ramón, the park’s backdrop. The old gunpowder magazines, in turn, were adapted to house educational and recreational spaces, such as the Adriana Hoffmann multipurpose room and an aerial challenge circuit featuring hanging bridges, a zip line, and a climbing wall.

The military stables were renovated, transforming them into an administration center inspired by the domes of the Sierra de Ramón, integrating educational and recreational programs in a sustainable environment.

Puente colgante / Hanging bridge
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

The heart of this transformation is the Environmental Education Center, designed to raise awareness about biodiversity and environmental challenges within the Mediterranean sclerophyllous forest. Through workshops, guided tours, and interactive activities, this space aims to inspire sustainable lifestyles. Its 37.5 hectares make the park a valuable refuge for local biodiversity and a natural classroom where visitors can learn about biodiversity and sustainability while walking its trails. This direct contact with nature helps to understand the challenges facing this fragile environment and the importance of its conservation.

Sala de educación ambiental Adriana Hoffmann / Adriana Hoffmann Environmental Education Room
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

José Pedro Guilisasti, executive secretary of the Parque Cordillera Association, which manages this space, emphasizes that “Cantalao Park is one of the treasures of our park network, playing a key role in our environmental education program, and positioning itself as the second most visited park by educational institutions.”

Ex polvorín habilitado como espacio recreativo / Gunpowder storage converted into a recreational space
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García

The Cantalao Natural Park is now an example of how collaboration between public and private institutions can generate a positive impact on the community. With the leadership of Fundación Cosmos, the support of the Ministry of the Environment, and the management of the Parque Cordillera Association, the project has created a space that combines recreation, education, and conservation.

Cantalao is not just a park; it is a statement of how the union between nature and the community can forge a sustainable legacy for future generations.

Niños observando la ciudad desde los juegos de cuerdas del Parque / Children observing the city from the rope playgrounds of the park
Fotografía / Photography: Juan García