USERS SATISFACTION INDEX FOR SUSTAINABLE RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACES IN AKURE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Recreational open space is the outdoor open-air space involving green,grey,water and air spaces which can be used for active and/or passive recreation such as park, garden, public golf course and general open spaces. Recreational open space has been seen to be inadequate to cater for the rising demand of public recreation due to the increase in the population of people in Akure city. Many researches carried out on recreation and open spaces in the study area have indicated that abandonment, misuse, conversion, mismanagement, dilapidation, encroachment to mention a few are reasons for the inadequacies of these recreational open spaces. Amidst these challenges and threats to recreational open spaces, the study was set to look at the possible indicators for these demands in relation to the issues facing recreational open spaces.Consequently,a mix method approach involving administration of 379 questionnaires through stratified random sampling technique and case study of recreational open spaces in the study area was adopted. Hence, the study examined the factors influencing users’ satisfaction and sustainability of recreational open spaces in Akure as its aim.The study revealed the relationship between the management condition,satisfaction and benefit of the provision of recreational open spaces as an insight to a healthy city and development.Findings revealed that greater number of the study population visit frequently the available recreational open spaces and would want the recreation facilities to be properly managed especially to meet their satisfaction.The paper further recommends that local and state governments should provide more recreational open spaces with the consideration of users’satisfaction for a healthy living.