Attitudes of urban park visitors towards leisure activities: The case of Mersin-Tarsus

In today's world, rapid urbanization, intense work schedules, and increasing life stress have made individuals' need for leisure time more significant. In this context, urban parks emerge as important public spaces that offer opportunities for physical, psychological, and social relief. Urban parks are recognized as essential areas where city residents can engage in their daily leisure activities. The aim of this thesis is to examine the attitudes of visitors toward leisure activities in Tarsus Culture Park, located in the city of Mersin. Within the scope of the research, a quantitative research method was adopted, and an attitude scale developed based on relevant literature was utilized as the data collection tool. The study population consists of visitors to Tarsus Culture Park within the provincial boundaries of Mersin, and a convenience sampling method was employed. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Additionally, the study investigated whether attitude levels differed significantly according to demographic variables such as age, gender, and educational background. The research findings offer valuable insights for both local authorities and urban park planners in designing more functional and participatory spaces that align with the expectations and needs of users.