The Parco Cava Increa is a 33-hectare green area reclaimed from a former quarry, with an artificial lake covering half its surface. It’s famous for Italy’s longest recycled plastic bench (25 meters), overlooking the lake.
– Easy and accessible cycling and walking paths, suitable for strollers and people with disabilities.
– Inclusive playground with a swing for disabled children and picnic tables.
– Bar Masnada serving hot meals, cocktails, and live music on weekends.
– Ideal for families, sports enthusiasts, and dogs, with an agility area and mountain bike trails.
Events nearby
A 33-hectare park with an artificial lake, Italy’s longest recycled plastic bench (25 meters), cycling and walking paths, playground, and bar. Ideal for families and sports enthusiasts in Brugherio, MB.
Good to know
Introduction
If you’re looking for a place to relax without straying too far from Milan, the Parco Cava Increa in Brugherio is a discovery worth making. Picture an artificial lake reflecting the sky, a 25-meter-long bench entirely made of recycled plastic (the longest in Italy!), and plenty of green surroundings. It’s a former quarry turned into a green lung: 33 hectares of paths, playgrounds, and nature. The bar overlooking the water is the perfect spot for an aperitif at sunset. Here, families, athletes, and curious visitors meet. Let me tell you how to make the most of this corner of Brianza.
Historical Notes
The area was farmland until the 1960s, when sand and gravel extraction began, turning it into a quarry. In 1985, the Municipality of Brugherio launched a recovery plan and purchased the land in 1987. The park was inaugurated in 1994, after twenty years of work that restored a large green space to the city. Today, the pond formed by the excavation is the heart of the park. Here are the key milestones:
- 1960s-1980s: Increa quarry mining activity
- 1985: first environmental recovery intervention
- 1987: acquisition by the Municipality of Brugherio
- 1994: inauguration of the public park
- 2010: installation of the record-breaking recycled plastic bench
The Record-Breaking Bench
The park’s star is undoubtedly the longest bench made of recycled plastic in Italy: 25 meters of continuous seating overlooking the pond. Made from a single block of PVC, it was installed in 2010 and offers a spectacular view of the water and, on clear days, the mountains (you can see the Corni di Canzo and the Grigne). It’s the perfect spot for a souvenir photo or to sit and chat. Kids love it because they can run along it, but beware: it’s often crowded on weekends!
Lake Life: Relax, Sports, and Nature
Around the lake runs a cycle-pedestrian path of about 3.5 km, flat and accessible to all: perfect for family walks, jogging, or cycling. There is also a equipped playground (with inclusive swing), a dog area with agility equipment, and a fitness trail with sports gear. The Masnada bar, open from March to October, offers refreshments with pizza, sandwiches, and live music on weekends. In summer, the park hosts sports and recreational events: every November, the international cyclocross race ‘Increa Stadium’ takes place. A true outdoor hub.
Why Visit
Three good reasons:
1. The record-breaking bench – unique of its kind, a symbol of creative recycling.
2. Suitable for everyone – easy paths, children’s games, dog area, bar: a stress-free outing.
3. A stone’s throw from Milan – less than 30 minutes by car, free parking, and you’re already in a peaceful oasis. Perfect for a half-day outdoors.
1. The record-breaking bench – unique of its kind, a symbol of creative recycling.
2. Suitable for everyone – easy paths, children’s games, dog area, bar: a stress-free outing.
3. A stone’s throw from Milan – less than 30 minutes by car, free parking, and you’re already in a peaceful oasis. Perfect for a half-day outdoors.
When to Go
The best time? Spring and autumn: mild temperatures, changing colors, and fewer crowds. But also a summer afternoon, when the bar hosts live music and you stay until sunset. If you love tranquility, choose a weekday. The park opens at 8:00 AM all year round, but closes at 5:00 PM in winter, and at 8:00 PM in summer. Bring a blanket for a picnic on the grass or simply enjoy a bench.
Nearby
Just a stone’s throw away is Cascina Increa, a fine example of Renaissance rural architecture: well worth a look. If you fancy combining nature with shopping, the Carosello shopping center and Ikea are close by. For a dive into history, the center of Brugherio with the Church of San Bartolomeo is just a few minutes’ drive away.
Itineraries nearby
💡 Did You Know…?
Did you know the record-breaking bench is made from 2,500 kg of recycled plastic? The lime tree grove comes from trees removed from Via Manara. On clear days, you can see the Grigne and Resegone mountains.