A wood in the city:  from agricultural area to oasis of biodiversity

Among the first example of urban wood in Italy and one of the first protected areas in Lombardy, the Wood Park of Legnano (or Wood of Legnano or Castle Park) was realized in the ’70s on agricultural areas historically cultivated with water meadow that were part of the estates linked to Visconti's castle. Based on the project of the prestigious architectural study BBPR of Milan, it is the northern gate of Mills' Park since 2008,  which can be used as an urban park but also as an oasis of biodiversity, hosting numerous species of fauna and flora.

One of the first examples of urban woodland in Italy and one of the first protected areas in Lombardy, the Parco Bosco Comunale di Legnano (or Bosco di Legnano or Parco Castello) was built in the 1970s on agricultural areas historically cultivated with marc that were part of the estates linked to the Visconti castle. Built on the basis of the project by the famous Milanese architecture firm BBPR, since 2008 it has been the northern entrance to the Parco dei Mulini, which can be used as an urban park but also as an oasis of biodiversity, hosting numerous species of fauna and flora.
The Parco Bosco Comunale di Legnano (or Bosco di Legnano or Parco Castello) occupies areas previously cultivated with march trees and crossed by irrigation ditches, which were part of the Cornaggia Medici family's possessions linked to the nearby Visconti castle, acquired by the Municipality in the 1960s for the creation of a large municipal park.
Designed as an urban forest in 1972 by the Milan architecture studio BBPR (Banfi Belgioioso Peressutti and Rogers), it saw the inclusion of various functions, new tree species and the creation of a system of hexagonal mesh avenues, which can also be used for sports, with the aim of giving citizens "a green selected to train the physical and mental"The area, initially about 25 hectares, before also included the current market square and the island of the castle, extending up to the church of S. Maria delle Grazie. The original project, in close relationship with the castle and the mill, where cultural and social functions were provided in the first and catering in the second, also provided for the exhibition of works of art or craft exhibitions in specific clearings, as well as a large aviary as an attraction for children, not realized.
Since 1976 Parco Bosco Comunale di Legnano, in 1983 it became the first Local Park of Supramunicipal Interest (PLIS) of the Lombardy Region. Since 2008 the area has been part of the Mulini Park, of which it is the northern access gate, an important junction of the ecological network due to the presence of the Olona River that flows alongside it.
At the time of its establishment, reforestation was not based on specific criteria for the protection of the local landscape and therefore the protected area includes many conifers outside the area. However, there are also many native plants, including maples, alders and willows, which have recently been increased through environmental upgrading that has seen the introduction of additional species. A row of poplars along a irrigation ditch and the presence of some mulberry trees testify to the ancient agricultural landscape of the Olona Valley.
In 1981 a small wetland was created within it, expanded over the years to over half a hectare of surface area, fed by groundwater, which provides an environment conducive to the life of fish and aquatic birds, including kingfishers, mallards, shelduck, wild goose, heron, moorhen, as well as numerous fish species. There is a widespread presence of turtles and squirrels, unfortunately belonging to invasive non-native species.
The area is now intensely enjoyed by the population thanks to the presence of bars, picnic area, life trail, dog areas, wooded area and orchards, meadows, bowling alleys, skating rink and skate, as well as used by lovers of jogging or walking, thanks to the recent redevelopment of trails in soccer, as well as nature photography enthusiasts.