“Once upon a time, in Metanopoli” sounds like the start of a fairy tale. But the story of Parco Enrico Mattei is very real. This park stands as a testament to industry and community. It embodies the vision of Enrico Mattei himself.
Enrico Mattei wanted to create an ideal city for Eni employees. He envisioned a place like Ivrea was for Olivetti workers. Thus, in the 1950s, the Centro Sportivo Snam was born. It later became Parco Enrico Mattei.
The park spans almost 100000 square meters. Over 60000 square meters are green spaces. Initially, the park was exclusively for Eni employees. But in 2000, the Comune di San Donato Milanese acquired it.
Mario Bacciocchi designed most of the park. The Bacigalupo-Ratti and Zoppini and Mattioli studios designed the pools. In 2012, the park was renamed Parco Enrico Mattei. A stele dedicated to Mattei was erected at the entrance. Joseph Ronen created it.
The park boasts many sports facilities. There is a rugby field and an athletic track. The athletic track is named after Lorenzo Noè. He was the former president of Rugby San Donato 1981. There are also tennis courts and basketball courts. A 50-meter Olympic swimming pool beckons swimmers.
The Società Sportiva Snam thrived here. In the 1990s, the women’s athletics team dominated Italian championships. They even won the Coppa dei Campioni. Fiona May and Gennaro Di Napoli were among its stars. In 1992, Gennaro Di Napoli set the Italian mile record here.
The park’s Olympic pool hosted the Italian Summer Swimming Championships. This happened in 1988, 1990, 1995 and 1997. Eight national records were broken during those events.
Waterpolo Milano Metanopoli calls this place home. They played in Serie A1 in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The team plays its games at Piscina Cozzi in Milan. Their covered pool has been unusable since 2013.
Beyond sports, Parco Enrico Mattei provides green spaces. There is a playground for children. A diverse woodland offers shade. Once, a small lake added to the charm. Sadly, a weather event in 2022 damaged it.
In 2022, a plaque honoring Mattei was placed at the main entrance. It commemorated the 60th anniversary of his death. The park is easily accessible. The San Donato metro station is nearby. The ciclovia M3 Peschiera Borromeo runs alongside it.
Parco Enrico Mattei is more than just a park. It is a living tribute to a visionary leader. It is a space for sports, recreation, and community. It is a green lung for San Donato Milanese.