African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(8), pp. 692-699, 18 April, 2010 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR DOI: 10.5897/AJAR09.714 ISSN 1991-637X © 2010 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Determination of user satisfaction for management practices on recreational areas Zeki Demir 1 *, Haldun Müderrisoğlu 1 , Hüseyin Samet Aikkutlu 1 and Pinar Aydin Bollukçu 2 1 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Forestry, Duzce University, Konuralp 81620, Duzce, Turkey. 2 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Forestry, Bartın University, Bartın, Turkey. Accepted 15 February, 2010 For different recreational areas, studies have been conducted to investigate the satisfactions of users from different socio-economic background and recreation habits. However, data is scarce about management practices on user satisfaction. For the current study, a survey was conducted on 300 people to determine the user satisfaction related to management practices on the recreational areas. Study has been conducted in Mogan park, Ankara and coastal area of Mugada, Bartın. The results of questionary indicate that user’s satisfaction has been affected by the management practices. However, data indicates that the users with experiences about the site are more satisfied with current management situation than the ones who do not have experiences about the site. Key words: User-satisfaction, Mogan park, Mugada, recreation. INTRODUCTION Studies conducted to determine user satisfaction for management practices may guide to decision making on planning and sustainable use of recreational areas (Mackay and Crompton, 1990; Burns et al., 1997; Cole and Cromption, 2003). Therefore, this kind of studies may also provide useful insight for managers of recreational areas. However, most of the related study is focused on the quality of service in the recreational areas but the data for the other management practices is very limited (Cole and Cromption, 2003; Ryan and Cessford, 2003; Khan, 2003; Borrie and Birzell, 2001; Burns et al., 2003; Chih-Yu et al., 2005). Parasuraman et al. (1985, 1988) claimed that high quality services have positive effects on user satisfaction. And his study has leaded the others to determine service quality. There are related studies mostly focused on user’s experiences on their satis- faction. For example, Churchill and Suprenant (1982) and Oliver and DeSarbo (1988) stated that experiences have a great effect on user satisfaction. Tian-Cole et al. (2002) examined the relationship between service quality and *Corresponding author. E-mail: zekidemir@duzce.edu.tr. Tel: +90 380 5421137. Fax: +90 380 5421136. Abbreviation: SERVQUAL, Service quality. user satisfaction by using structural usage equation model. Khan (2003) used ECOSERV scale to determine service quality by using SERVQUAL model. Then he stated that SERVQUAL is one the most-used and best method to measure service quality. This method which calls attention to quality in service components has been developed by Parasuraman et al. (1985, 1988). Cronin and Taylor (1992) used SERVPERF scale in SERVQUAL model to determine the relationship between service quality and satisfaction. However, Crompton and Mackay (1989) stated that socialization is more important for the user and therefore service quality less effective on user’s satisfaction. Borrie and Birzell (2001) said that satisfaction show an alteration according to the characteristics of users. Results of different studies showed that users’ socio-eco- nomic background influences their satisfactions (Newman and Dawson, 1998; Gibson et al., 1992; Li and Vogelson, 2003; Dawson and Watson, 2000). According to their influences on the user’s satisfaction, Newman and Dawson (1998) ranked the variables as visual pollution, perception of crowding and information gathering. Absher et al. (1999) on the other hand, ranked the variables as experiences, the opportunities that the area offers, ser- vices and grounding about the area. Cole and Cromption (2003) asserted that, the satisfaction would be achieved by meeting the expectations of the users from the activity.