ABSTRACT
This research work assessed the level of participation in
outdoor recreation in Yenagoa town, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study covered
ten wards in which the town is organised, using one ward each for
investigations into the availability of outdoor recreation facilities, access
to them and the general pattern of recreation practices among the residents of
the town. The ten communities were selected on the basis of the level of
concentration and size of the population, with the highest being taken for the
purpose of sampling. A sample size of 0.87% of the total population (42,463)
was used based on sample size determining criteria by Krejcie and Morgan (1970)
and 368 (0.87%) questionnaires were administered to household heads in the 10
sampled communities. Relevant data were obtained on the subject, with the
result revealing that recreation facilities are abundantly provided in the town
and most residents were aware of their existence. However, with the exemption
of football facilities, most residents would not patronize the facilities
provided, although no apparent barriers to access for the facilities are in
place and people are free to use them. It is subsequently shown from the data
that a number of factors play important roles in limiting the level of
participation including ignorance of the benefit of recreation, income level of
the respondents and distance from the facilities. The result is a low level of
participation with only 18% of respondents indicating regular participation.
Addressing these hindrances, proposals were made to encourage more
participation across the population spectrum in active recreation participation
in the town. It is envisaged that this will also serve as an example for other
towns in the country.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background
of the Study
Recreation is as
old as man and everybody needs it. This is due to its vast and fundamental
importance. It plays an important role in physical, economic and socio-cultural
development of mankind (Okoli 2001). It is for this reason that Obateru (2003)
expresses the need for Nigerians to participate in recreation activities in
order to improve their health, facilitate their economic output and also to
make worthy use of leisure time.
Recreation
activities according to Atemie (1997) is an important ingredient for long life.
It is for this reason that Straus (1998), a medical educator emphasized that
recreation is as important as eating a healthy diet and getting enough
exercise. It has the ability in helping to deal with stress in life, by
changing the focus of attention from those stressful situations.
Today‟s young
participants in outdoor recreation activities are tomorrow‟s adult outdoor
enthusiasts and conservationists, but sadly fewer and fewer youth are leaving
outdoors each year to indoor recreation activities.
In Nigeria however,
it has been observed that the culture of participating in recreation activities
consciously is relatively low. This may not be unconnected with the economic
circumstance prevalent in the country. Results of recent researches into the
recreation activities of Nigerians in different walks of life (Makasi, 1985)
Imazobi, (1988) seem to indicate that certain unexpected factors prevent most
Nigerians from engaging in recreation activities. While Nigeria is blessed with
several abundant recreation activities such as swimming, football, lawn tennis,
boating, picnicking, basketball, polo playing, TV viewing and several other
activities which could be participated in by Nigerians
It appears in
Yenagoa the capital of Bayelsa state is filled with various types of modern and
traditional recreation activities, these activities appear not to have been
patronised as expected. This observation was made during the reconnaissance
survey that the degree of participation in outdoor recreation activities is
minimal.
1.1 Statement
of Research Issue
There are
indications that the level at which people engage in outdoor recreation
activities in Yenagoa is low despite the abundant opportunities available. From
previous researches, the reasons usually attributed for non-participation in
outdoor recreation is always associated with lack of facilities for doing so.
The issue of lack of facilities which limits the participation of outdoor
recreation has always been recognised by (Mcintosh, 1995) understanding
recreation as an economic, physical and environmental benefit to man. Hence
researchers like Morrison (2001) asserted that location of recreation
facilities is a primary factor affecting access to outdoor recreation activities;
therefore facilities should be planned to possess some degree of
attractiveness. However, in Yenagoa this is in conflict with the known findings
and further research therefore is required for an explanation since there are
ample recreation facilities.
Associated with
this, is to also understand the circumstances under which participation in
outdoor recreation in the town occur. This implies knowledge of the social
characteristics of participants, the reasons for participating, constraints and
problems.
It is against this
backdrop that this research is set out and it seeks to answer the following
questions:
i.
What is the level of participation
in outdoor recreation activities in Yenagoa?
ii.
What are the constrains to effective
participation in outdoor recreation in the study area?
iii.
What appropriate measures may be
taken to encourage participation in outdoor recreational activities in the
study area?
Answers
to these questions will provide input for policy decision and planning for
corrective action, as
recreation is generally seen as a socially acceptable and worthwhile activity
that creates opportunities for people to develop themselves physically,
socially, mentally and emotionally (Bucher 1979). Research has shown also that
people‟s involvement in recreation activities plays a significant role in
integrating society, affiliating them with institutions, and enhancing their
educational and developmental outcomes (Kovac and Beck, 1997).
1.2 Aim
The aim of the research
is to assess the level of participation in outdoor recreation activities in
Yenagoa, with a view in establishing the pattern and making appropriate
recommendations towards encouraging greater participation among residents in
recreation activities.
1.3 Objectives
i.
To appraise the provisioning of
outdoor recreation facilities in Yenagoa
ii.
To establish the characteristics of
participation in outdoor recreation activities in Yenagoa.
iii.
To identify the factors that affect
participation in outdoor recreation activities in Yenagoa.
iv.
To make appropriate recommendations
towards the encouragement of greater participation in recreation activities in
Yenagoa.
1.4 Scope
This study focuses
on the assessment of participation of the residents of Yenagoa. It is limited
to the outdoor component of recreation with focuses on the facilities available
and the character and pattern of their use
1.5 Limitation
The study therefore
will be limited to Yenagoa town, particularly the assessment of the
participation of outdoor recreation activities there. In the field
investigations, the researcher has limited himself to household heads within
the study area as respondents to collect data through questionnaire and
observation.
1.6 Justification
In Nigeria
participation in modern recreation is generally low. Recreation has not taken
an important position in people‟s day-to-day activity especially among adults.
People tend to engage in recreation activities haphazardly and as such the level
of awareness about the importance of participating in outdoor recreation
activities appears to be relatively low. This may be as a result of not knowing
the relevance of engaging in outdoor recreation activities or the lack of
facilities. This study attempts to unravel the reasons why despite the relative
availability of facilities, participation in outdoor recreation remains low in
Yenagoa. Understanding this is important for future policies on the provision
of facilities for recreation in urban areas in Nigeria at large.
Recreation Facilities: These
are the necessary requirements for recreation. They may be in the form
of buildings, services, equipment, spaces etc that are provided for a particular
purpose in recreation. They may provide for indoor or outdoor activities. They
may provide for both active and passive recreation.
Participation: Is
the act of taking part in an activity or event, like sports, recreation
activities etc. Participation may be active whereby the individual
partakes in the activity or passive whereby they watch others partake.
Perception: Getz
(1994) defines perception as the meaning attributed to an object phenomenon
or activity. It is shaped by our knowledge, beliefs, values and norms.
Practices :
This is the habitual doing or carrying out of something, usual or customary
action or performance, i.e a repeated exercise in or performance of an
activity so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it, activity undertaken to
this end, (Lesley, 1982).
Assessment: In
this work, assessment will refer to an act of rating, evaluating, estimating or
checking to arrive at a result that will be useful in making formal
decisions.
Community: This
refers to all the people who live in a particular area, community etc. And in
most cases share the same religion, job etc.
Outdoor Recreation: These
are recreation activities that take place outside a building. To enjoy
the facilities required for their pursuit, one needs to travel to the place or
places where the facilities are located.
Indoor Recreation: These
are recreation activities carried out, in or within the jurisdiction of buildings.
They include activities for leisure carried out at home.
Traditional Recreation
Activities: Refers to recreation activities that
have been developed overtime by people based on their socio-cultural
values, norms and technology adjusted to the features of leisure time available
to the people.
Modern Recreation Activities: These
are recreation activities introduced into a society as a result of
contact with other cultures e.g. soccer, tennis etc.
Leisure: Burton
(1970) defines leisure as time available to a person after the requirements of
sleeping, eating and basic social and household duties have been met.
Recreation: Molyneux
(1970) defines recreation to mean purposeful activity undertaken during
leisure time.
Active Recreation Pursuit: This
falls within the category of sport and their pursuits involve element of
competition or challenges and use prepared pitches, situation etc, such
activities include swimming, jogging, riding etc. It requires exhaustion of
energy.
Passive Recreation Pursuit:
These are recreation activities that do not require exertion or physical
effort as the many experience of the activity, does not necessarily make use of
defined courses, pitches etc. it also includes the act of watching others
partake in active recreation like watching live or televised sporting activities.
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