The Medio Olona Park was founded in 2005 thanks to the initiative of six towns belonging to the Olona valley (Fagnano Olona, Gorla Maggiore, Gorla Minore, Marnate, Olgiate Olona and Solbiate Olona). The park extends over the area where the River Olona flows, that is the south-east sector of the Province of Varese. The river Olona flows in park's central area and represents an important ecological, cultural and infrastructural connection between the Alpine Foothills and the Lombard valley. The Medio Olona Park is a P.L.I.S. (Local Park extending over many municipalities), that is a protected area whose natural features are preserved and enhanced by the involved towns and villages. Some of the goals of the Park are: the preservation of biodiversity and of the area's natural heritage, to support the connection between the social fruition of the territory and the environmental protection, to maintain the ecological function of the agricultural/forestal territory which still exists.