DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-025-2-0218

RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL OF URBAN FORESTS IN THE YOUNG GENERATION OPINIONS. A CASE STUDY OF WARSAW (CENTRAL POLAND)

Andrzej Długonski¹, Justyna Marchewka², Weronika Bogdanowicz³, Zuzanna Tomporowska²

¹ Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, WULS-SGGW, Poland

² Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, UKSW, Poland, 3 Doctoral School Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Poland

The research aimed to check how Bielański Forest (BF) users perceive its recreational function and what types of activities they undertake. The results indicate that regardless of the age of the respondents, the urban forest area located in Warsaw was chosen because of its proximity to the surrounding housing estates. Almost 72% of the respondents indicated that the road to the forest is covered on foot and that it takes them less than 15 minutes. Next, they indicate that the reason for choosing this place to rest is that it does not feel crowded and is calm and quiet. Less important to them is the cleanliness of the air and the equipment (e.g., trash cans, benches, etc.). The most common form of activity is walking, which applies to all age groups, and in the following order, cycling; in this adjective, it was observed that slightly more often, this type of activity was undertaken by people after 50 years of age. Regardless of age, BF presents its users as a safe space (75 - 87% depending on age) for recreation. 

Keywords: questionnaire survey, site observation, protected areas, sport activities, ecosystem services (ES)

pages: 218-222, Published: 2025, online: 2025