Suggested by a law of popular initiative since 1967, the creation of the Park dates back to 1974. Later, in 1980, the "Piano territoriale di Coordinamento" (the territorial Project of Coordination), was approved as the prescriptive instrument of the Ente. Among the institutional aims of the regional Park there are: the preservation of the river, the safeguard of the river basin, of its fauna and flora, the regulation of the agricultural and tourist activities, and the conservation of the environment. In 1999, the "Variante Generale" to the territorial Project has been established. The Park is managed by a group of Enti - 49, of which 46 Towns and 3 Provinces (Milano, Pavia, Varese). The operative structure of the Park consists in 63 persons, among which 21 foresters.

The Big River
If we had the possibility to have an overall view over the river, we would see how the Ticino flows in a riverbed which is deeply embanked if compared to the Po Plain. It flows within a valley which becomes wider and wider from Sesto Calende to Pavia. The river Ticino is about 100 kilometer long, from the Lago Maggiore to the river Po. Near the bridge of the Becca, where the Ticino flows into the Po, you can notice the remarkable difference in the colour of the waters, as the water of the Ticino is much clearer. This depends on the fact that the water coming from the Lago Maggiore has already a good quality, the riverbed is mainly formed by pebbles, gravel, and sand, and there is little suspended material. However, the "Light blue river" is affected by some biological polluting agents: despite this, the presence of natural resurgences feeding the river with clean and oxygenated subterranean water limits the impact of pollution. Moreover, the interventions and the monitoring by the Park ensure a good quality of the river's water. Along the banks of the river we can find what remains of the plain forest which covered the 90% of the Po Plain two thousand years ago.

Woods and Flora
The vegetation of the river valley is mainly characterized by mixed oak-woods, which extend over the deep soil of the lower part of the plain and include the British oak, the elm, the hornbeam, and the black poplar. The hill is drier and here decidous trees, such as the wooly oak and the chestnut tree prevail together with the Scotch pine. The white poplar, the black alder, and the willow groves are typical of more humid soils. Exotic plants like the false acacia and the Prunus serotina are also very common. If compared to the poor vegetation of the Po Plain, the flora of the wetlands (water-lily, water-buttercups, iris), of the underwood (lily of the valley, butcher's broom) and of the clearings (dittany, asphdel, and sword-lily) is remarkable.

Fauna
The wild animalsare, by nature, reserved, and the Park is not a zoo; therefore, you should not expect to find squirrels on every tree or ducks in every sheet of water. However, the Ticino area houses thousands of animals, and there are more squirrels than you may imagine. You will discover the animals by following their tracks and you will distinguish the wild boar, the roe deer, the badger, the rabbit, and the hare by their footprints. A bird-call or a flap of wings: will it be the osprey, the moorhen, or the grey heron? If you are lucky and patient, you will have the chance to see and distinguish them among the thousands of animals populating the Park.

Historical Sites
If you want to travel back into the past, enjoy the beauty of piazza Ducale in Vigevano or walk along the ancient streets of Pavia. However, there are several small or bigger centers situated in the hills or in the small northern valleys, along the canals or dominating the river valley, or in the quiet fields extending towards the river Po: they are all worth a visit for their historical and architectural aspects. The most interesting are: the Abbey of Morimondo, the Romanesque structures of Arsago Seprio, the parsonage of Bernate, the Castles of Abbiategrasso, the Sforzesca of Vigevano, the Villas of the Navigli, the archaeological site of Monsorino in Golasecca.