Determination of Noise Sources in Recreation Areas and Noise Management: Example of Abant Nature Park

This study, it aims to determine the source of noise from user perspective and making recommendations for reducing noise in Abant Nature Park which is one of Turkey's most important recreation area In this context, a questionnaire was developed to determine noise sources in the study area and a questionnaire was applied to 122 persons in the spring season. The obtained data were interpreted by using descriptive and exploratory analysis with IBM Statistics SPSS 22 program. As a result; the visitors of the recreation area stated that they used the area to get away from the noise and stress of the city at weekend but they could not be found in a calm and peaceful environment at the expected level, although not as high as the urban environment. It has been determined that the users are exposed to noise due to the user capacity of the area, the picnic areas are located very close to each other, the traffic noise from the vehicle road, bicycle path and parking areas, the activity areas, and the lack of noise barrier between the camp areas. All determined noise factors reduce user satisfaction. There is no legislation in Turkey describing the noise limits in rural recreation areas. In the study, within the framework of the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise for the urban areas, recreational planning and noise management suggestions have been developed for Abant Nature Park to reduce noise and increase user satisfaction