Kargiglioglu, SabanOzer, Elif ZeynepKaracar, ErcanArslan, Fatma NurBicici, Fırat2026-04-252026-04-2520252224-4980https://doi.org/10.31407/ijees15.302https://hdl.handle.net/11486/8058Recreation includes events and activities that individuals participate in during their free time. These activities, which contribute to individuals to have a pleasant time, socialize and lead a healthy life, take place in recreation areas called open and closed. The facilities and conditions of these areas significantly affect people's recreation preferences. With this study, it is aimed to reveal what recreation areas Gerze, a Cittaslow city, has, its opportunities and current situation and whether it meets the needs of the local people. Within the scope of the research, the survey technique, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was used. Since it is difficult to reach the entire universe due to limitations in the research, sampling was used and in this context, the convenience sampling method, which is among the non-probability sampling methods, was used. Between 01-31 January 2025, the questionnaires made with 121 people were collected and 81 valid questionnaires were analyzed. According to the results of the research, the people of Gerze use recreation areas and the most prominent recreation areas are the sea, the beach, parks and picnic areas. While these areas are ranked positively in terms of visual aspects, plants, facilities and opportunities, and cleanliness, they stated that there are transportation, infrastructure and parking problems. While they generally described Gerze as calm, peaceful and cozy, they mentioned infrastructure problems and unemployment as negative factors. © 2025, Hysen MANKOLLI. All rights reserved.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCittaslowGerzeRecreationRecreation AreasArticle15391810.31407/ijees15.3022-s2.0-105017145313Q4