Abstract:
Recreational parks and street trees refer to green spaces and urban vegetation designed
to enhance the environment, promote biodiversity, and provide social and health
benefits to communities. The study aimed to evaluate the status and management of
recreational parks and street trees. The study was conducted in three districts (02, 09,
and 10) of the Lemi Kura sub-city. This study utilized simple random sampling and a
descriptive research design. to investigate the current state of recreational parks and
street trees. The study evaluated the physical conditions, management frameworks, and
community utilization patterns of these resources. The study used a mixed-method
approach, combining primary and secondary data sources, to ensure data accuracy,
reliability, and comprehensiveness. The integrated methodology provided a
comprehensive understanding of urban green spaces, revealing their management
effectiveness, challenges, and usage dynamics. The study provides a comprehensive
understanding of the management and utilization of recreational parks and street trees,
highlighting significant concerns in urban planning and environmental management.
The research revealed that the current condition and availability of these green spaces
are suboptimal, with a staggering 71.6% of urban residents expressing dissatisfaction.
This overwhelming majority underscores a pressing need for improvement in the
quality, accessibility, and maintenance of recreational parks and street trees. These
results emphasize a clear demand for enhanced urban green infrastructure to better meet
the needs and expectations of the community. 57.4% of respondents believe
recreational parks and street trees are taken by industrial, commercial, and illegal
settlements, attributed to poor urban planning regulations, lack of priority, and lack of
attention. The study reveals that the urban community's knowledge and awareness
about the benefits of recreational parks and street trees in the study area is largely
lacking. The study found diverse perceptions among respondents about the benefits of
recreational parks and street trees, with 29.0% disagreeing, 27.5% agreeing, 23.6%
strongly agreeing, and 2.0% neutral. The study suggests that collaboration between the
government, urban residents, and other stakeholders is crucial to enhance the status of
recreational parks and street trees.
