Nature Parks in the Scope of Recreation Landscapes: Case Study of Degirmenbogazi Nature Park (Balikesir-Türkiye)

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 19th century, there has been an increase in leisure time in parallel with the increase in the number of people. The increase in people's spare time has directed them to recreational activities. The economic, social, cultural and societal changes that have arisen due to the increasing urbanization have also changed the relations of people with nature. People have started to escape from the stressful, boring and noisy world of working life and the city to natural and semi-natural areas in their spare time. At this point, nature parks, which are often very close to the cities and easily accessible, have been one of the most preferred areas in terms of outdoor recreation activities. The aim of this study is to examine the recreational use of nature parks, which is also a protected area in Türkiye, in daily life, in particular Değirmenboğazı Nature Park, and to determine what changes or transformations these usage patterns cause in nature parks. For this purpose, the field research method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. Field studies were carried out in the area at different times of the week, on different days of the week, in 2021 and 2022. In order to determine the usage patterns and effects of the nature park on site, the local people using the area were found by participant observation method, and they were included in recreational activities. The results of the research show that Degirmenbogazi Nature Park is the scene of intense use in and around Balıkesir, and the area comes first in terms of outdoor recreational activities. Although the nature park is used all year, the most intense use is witnessed in the spring-autumn period and especially on weekends (saturdays and sundays). The usage pressure on the nature park, which is very close to the province of Balıkesir, whose population is approaching 350 thousand, is quite high. This pressure brings pollution, environmental degradation and irreversible environmental losses in the field. Arrangements made in the area, which is planned to host more visitors, damage the natural structure of the area, and the second residences built near the nature park increase the already intense pressure on the area. At this point, the issue of how nature parks, which are recreational landscapes, should be managed gains importance.