Parco delle Cave: From Quarry to Urban Oasis in the Baggio Neighborhood of Municipio 7, Milan

An Urban Park Born from Industrial Reclamation

Parco delle Cave is one of Milan's largest green spaces and a key feature of the Baggio neighborhood, located in the western sector of Municipio 7. The park, which spans over 135 hectares, occupies land that was once heavily exploited for gravel and sand quarrying during the 20th century. These quarries left behind a scarred landscape dotted with deep pits, which later filled with water and eventually became part of a broader ecological restoration effort. Beginning in the 1970s, local residents, environmentalists, and the municipal government collaborated to rehabilitate this post-industrial land, transforming it into a biodiverse park that today serves as a cornerstone of Milan's green infrastructure.

The reclamation project was a pioneering example of citizen-led environmental stewardship in Milan. Early activists, many of whom lived in nearby Baggio and Quinto Romano, advocated for the site's protection against further industrial development. Their efforts, supported by local associations such as Italia Nostra and Legambiente, laid the groundwork for the city's acquisition of the area and its subsequent conversion into a public park. Today, Parco delle Cave is managed as part of the larger Parco Agricolo Sud Milano network and represents a successful case of ecological renewal and urban reintegration.

Natural Features: Lakes, Woodlands, and Agricultural Land

The defining feature of Parco delle Cave is its diverse landscape, shaped by a combination of natural processes and deliberate planning. Four large lakes—formed from former quarry basins—serve as ecological and recreational focal points. These lakes support a range of aquatic habitats, attracting bird species such as herons, coots, and kingfishers. Surrounding the lakes are woodlands, meadows, and hedgerows that provide habitat corridors for small mammals, amphibians, and pollinators. The park also includes wetlands and reed beds, essential for maintaining biodiversity within an urban context.

In addition to its ecological areas, Parco delle Cave retains a portion of its historical agricultural identity. Several plots are still actively cultivated under traditional and organic practices. These include orchards, community gardens, and educational farms that reflect the rural heritage of Baggio and its surrounding territory. The juxtaposition of agriculture and natural regeneration makes the park a multifunctional landscape, where urban residents can experience Milan's countryside without leaving the city limits. The balance between conservation and cultivation has been central to the park's long-term management plan.

Accessibility and Urban Integration

Parco delle Cave is well integrated into the surrounding urban fabric of Municipio 7, especially the neighborhoods of Baggio, Quinto Romano, and Figino. Several entrances along Via delle Forze Armate, Via Caldera, and Via Cancano allow easy access by foot, bicycle, and public transport. The park is served by nearby bus routes and lies within cycling distance of the Bisceglie and Inganni metro stations on Milan's M1 line. Pedestrian and bike paths within the park connect to broader green mobility networks, including the Naviglio Grande towpaths and other routes within Parco Agricolo Sud Milano.

Internal circulation is facilitated by a network of well-maintained gravel and dirt trails that loop around the lakes and link key features such as viewing platforms, picnic areas, and community garden zones. The park's design prioritizes accessibility, with several barrier-free paths that accommodate visitors with limited mobility. Recent interventions by the Comune di Milano have included the installation of directional signage, solar lighting in key sections, and informational panels detailing the park's history, flora, and fauna. These amenities contribute to the park's role as a public educational and recreational resource.

Civic Use and Environmental Education

Parco delle Cave plays an important role in local community life, hosting a range of activities that span recreation, volunteering, and environmental education. Local schools regularly organize field trips to the park, taking advantage of its diverse habitats for outdoor science lessons and ecological awareness programs. Several environmental associations operate within the park, offering birdwatching walks, botanical tours, and clean-up campaigns. These programs foster environmental stewardship among residents of all ages, connecting them to the park's natural systems and restoration legacy.

In addition to its educational role, the park provides space for informal sports, walking, and social gathering. Jogging circuits, open fields for games, and lakeside benches make it a year-round destination for relaxation and exercise. Community events such as seasonal festivals, open-air concerts, and agricultural fairs are sometimes held in coordination with local organizations, further embedding the park into the social fabric of Baggio and neighboring areas. Its multifunctional nature enables it to serve as a green lung, an outdoor classroom, and a community commons simultaneously.

Conservation Management and Ecological Goals

Parco delle Cave is managed according to ecological principles aimed at balancing public use with biodiversity conservation. The park is part of Milan's ‘Rete Ecologica' (Ecological Network), a citywide system of green spaces designed to promote habitat connectivity and climate resilience. Maintenance practices within the park emphasize low-impact techniques, such as rotational mowing, organic pest control, and native species planting. These methods support pollinators, reduce maintenance costs, and help preserve the park's naturalistic character.

Long-term ecological monitoring is conducted in collaboration with academic and civic institutions. Data is collected on species richness, water quality, and land use to inform adaptive management strategies. One of the park's major goals is to maintain its biodiversity while preventing encroachment from urban development. Careful attention is also paid to invasive species, erosion control, and the health of aquatic ecosystems. The park's governance model includes partnerships with volunteer groups and environmental NGOs, fostering shared responsibility and transparency in decision-making.

A Model for Urban Sustainability in Milan

Parco delle Cave exemplifies how former industrial land can be transformed into a thriving ecological and social asset. It stands as a model for urban sustainability, offering a blueprint for integrating environmental restoration, public health, and community engagement within a metropolitan context. In a city that continues to grow and densify, the park demonstrates the value of investing in green infrastructure that benefits both people and the planet.

Its continued success will depend on ongoing investment, strong civic partnerships, and careful stewardship of its ecological resources. As Milan intensifies its climate resilience efforts and expands green mobility, Parco delle Cave will remain a critical node in the city's environmental network. For the residents of Baggio and Municipio 7, the park is more than a recreational space—it is a living landscape, a legacy of collective action, and a vital contributor to the city's sustainable future.