Brescia Municipality Acquires Bernini Park, Rebrands Maderno Facilities

If Sirmione is designing some sort of oasis, in Toscolano Maderno the local administration has just finalized the purchase of Parco Bernini: 12,000 square meters between via 45 bis and the central via Trento. Rich in tall trees, the area was privately owned. It belonged to the Gheda family, a Mantuan family that, many years ago, renovated the nearby Villa Osak, committing to cede the park. However, the transfer was never officially documented in a notarial deed. While waiting to resolve the issue, the park has always remained open.

So, the grandparents would bring children there; in June, the traditional Feast of Saints Peter and Paul took place, summer hosted some concerts, fall featured chestnut roasting. Occasionally, a local team would arrive with horses, allowing kids to go for short rides. Now, Paolo Elena, the mayor, along with assessors (recently Patrizia Tomacelli joined Vincenzo Chimini, Fabio Belloni, Carlamaria Fumagalli Menoni, Fabio Cauzzi, and Roberto Righettini) and councilors have approved the closure of the lengthy negotiation. The Gheda family transfers the park to the Municipality, which thus becomes (permanently) public property.

The transfer of the park and new uses

In exchange, they receive a 1,600 square meter plot on via Leopardi, behind Villa Zobbio, where they can build up to 2,400 cubic meters of volume. An equal exchange, based on a valuation that considered both plots to be worth 700 million euros each. The park already has some play equipment installed, and in the future, it will be better equipped (including the installation of restrooms).

“In ’99,” recalls Vicesindaco Chimini, “we improved the Polver area, which had remained abandoned for a long time, investing 270 million euros. It’s now mainly used by the elderly from the retirement home. In 2000, we purchased the Bersaglio area. Now, it’s the Bernini park.”

A trio, in short. Originally intended as a shooting range for training exercises, the Bersaglio covers 5,270 square meters, plus a 100-square-meter building over two floors. Located just steps from the lake, it had not been used for at least thirty years until the Ministry of Defense changed its designation from state property to available public estate, putting it up for auction for 420 million euros.

A company won the auction with a bid of 452 million euros, but last December, the Municipality exercised its right of pre-emption. Offering the same bid, it became the new owner. The small building will become the headquarters for the Civil Protection group. The land is expected to remain green space.

Ongoing projects and interventions

Meanwhile, two projects have been announced: the renovation of the bocce court (costing 250 million euros, with inauguration scheduled for April 21) and the restructuring of Palazzo Benamati. The former, located next to the Sporting Club, has been expanded from two to three courts, which could host national competitions in the future. The society’s president, Armando Franzoni, and his team are finishing up the refurbishment work.

Palazzo Benamati in Maderno’s historic center will become the Palazzo del Turismo. It will host cultural and sports associations, offices for the assessor’s department, and the Riviera dei Limoni consortium of operators from the Brescia Riviera. The main hall can accommodate about seventy people and, for a period, will hold municipal council meetings. There will also be space for exhibitions.

The total cost of the project: 750 million euros, including furnishings.