THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: THE POLICY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Recreation is essential to human life, but the facilities are in short supply. This paper examines the distribution of recreational facilities concerning policies and strategies in Greater Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.  The data were drawn from the study utilizing Multiple methods - integrated qualitative and quantitative analysis. The qualitative method employs ArcGIS software to determine the distribution of various recreational activity areas. For the quantitative method, a field questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data within the ten sectors of the study area using a simple random sampling, and the data were analysed descriptively using the SPSS software. The study found out that the distribution of the recreational facilities is not according to the policy of a neighbourhood, lacks appropriateness, insufficient to meet the population threshold. This affects the distance journey to recreation and deprives them of the desire for social integration. The study focused on the Greater Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, reflecting a specific developing country with attendant inadequate facilities and services. The paper discussed the distribution as it affects the ten (10) zoning/sectors of the Greater Jos.  Based on the problems mentioned above, suggestions were proffered towards observing maximum adherence to the implementation of policies and strategies that would help in achieving equity and adequate distribution of recreational facilities globally, especially in Greater Jos, Nigeria.