The regional parks of Italy are protected natural areas consisting of terrestrial, river, lake areas and stretches of sea overlooking the coast, of environmental and naturalistic value, which represent, within one or more adjacent regions, a homogeneous system, identified by the naturalistic assets of the locations, with landscape and artistic values and cultural traditions of local populations.
They are officially regulated by Presidential Decree D.P.R. 616/77, which transferred the responsibility for their upkeep to the Italian regions. The fifth edition (2003) of Italy's Official List of Protected Natural Areas (EUAP) comprises 105 officially designated regional parks, covering a total land area of some 12,000 square kilometres. The list which follows also includes a number of parks not mentioned in the EUAP. The Parco naturale lombardo della Valle del Ticino was the first Italian regional park to be established and the first European river park.