Determination of Recreation Area Using Demands : Erzincan City Sample

This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate people's needs, requests and suggestions about rural and urban recreation areas and create a basis for the planning decisions. A survey was conducted in five recreation areas have different characteristics in Erzincan city between January of 2014 and January 2013. In this scope Eksisu promenade area, Girlevik waterfall, Ergan mountain, Ataturk park and Baris Manco park were determined as research areas. Out of the 650 questionnaires, 524 were assessed and analyzed with SPSS 21.0 software. In the study, Erzincan city people's recreation perspectives, area preferences and recreational needs were examined. From analysis of the survey, it was concluded that 92% of people see recreation as a need. 36.1% respondents go to recreation areas for hiking and 31.9% to have picnic. Rural recreation areas; Eksisu Promenade Area (45.80%) and Girlevik Waterfall (17.60%) which have natural landscape elements, take more visitors. The number of recreational areas in the city of Erzincan, are considering not sufficient by city people in general (77.9%). The indispensable needs of recreation area users were determined as; restaurants and cafeterias (51.5%), extensive children's play areas (48.3%) and sports facilities (42.4%). Special planning and management units that work in coordination with local governors, land users and public representatives, should be established to fulfill visitor's needs in Erzincan city recreation areas. Approaches for satisfaction of user's requests and fulfillment of area-based special needs, should be adopted. From The obtained data and analysis results in this study it was aimed to shed light to the future works of local governments, recreational area planners and landscape architects.