Analysis of Public Recreational Needs by User Population in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the recreational needs of the user population in South-eastern Nigeria. The study considered educational status, public awareness, degree of awareness, public recreational options, extant open space services, and reasons for low usage of available recreational facilities. The study was carried out using descriptive statistics, use of weights and relative mean scare analysis. The study showed a general loss of interest in the available public recreational facilities and services, thus leading to disregard of public recreational open spaces. This fact prompts a high rate of conversion of public recreational spaces in South-Eastern Nigeria for other uses. There is therefore the need to provoke users’ interest through classical advertisements, posting of bills and publication in both local and national dailies, particularly on the implication of converting recreational spaces in the areas being advertised. This calls for the need for public enlightenment plans in the likes of orientation programs, seminars, symposiums, recreation outreach courses and educating the masses at various levels, on the need to recreate and participate actively on public open space activities. Keywords: Recreation, open space services, public recreation, users, recreational facilities.