Istanbul has witnessed a rapid increase in population and unplanned urban growth over the last fifty years. The problems arising from this uncontrolled urban development have been so overwhelming that they have taken priority over the social needs of the public. Development of sufficient recreational areas for residents has been ignored in Istanbul for many years. In contrast to economically developed countries, existing recreational areas of Istanbul are insufficient in terms of their quantity, location, size, and function. Istanbul is far from answering the recreational needs of its...