AN ASSESSMENT OF RESIDENTS ATTITUDE TOWARD RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES/FACILITIES IN PORT HARCOURT CITY AND OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT
Attitudes are essentially important in determining a people peculiarities and response to services provided but leisure and recreation are crucial components of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Recreation is an activity one does for pleasure at one leisure time and attitude is one positive or negative predisposition toward a specific behavior and determine by an individual behavioural belief. However leisure is when one is not working or occupied. The aim of the study is to assess the attitude of Residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government area toward recreational activities as a basis for determining their recreational interest and providing appropriate facilities in the study area. The objectives of the study are determine residents recreational preferences in the study area, identify the challenges to recreational participation in the study area, determine the factors that influence attitudes towards recreation and suggest ways to enhance engagement in recreation. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design to obtain information that described the existing phenomena about available recreational opportunities and factors that determine the frequency and level of participation. The study was carried out in five selected communities in Port Harcourt city and five selected communities in Obio/Akpor L.G.A where a sample size of 400 respondents were selected using simple random technique, self-administered structured questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions were administered to sampled respondents residing in the study area. The data was manually collected and presented in statistical diagram, tables and percentages. Evidence revealed that the most preferred popular indoor and outdoor recreational activities were watching film/football, playing football, night clubbing, listening to music, jogging, visiting park, playing scrabble/lido/draft/card and, reading respectively. Majority of the respondents reported availability of time and age as determinant of frequency of participation in both indoor and outdoor recreation activities. They were also constrained from participating in recreation activities due to occupation, family obligation and long distance to recreational facilities. These show that respondents demonstrated poor attitude toward recreation which reveal that gender influence attitude toward recreation, further findings indicated that though the youth had positive attitude toward recreation, the recreational facilities desired by the youths were far away from their communities. The study concluded by recommending that enlightenment programmes, installing and maintenance of desired neighborhood recreational facilities for residents recreation. Also Insurance schemes and subsidize recreational fees are recommended to address poor attitude and encourage more residents participation in recreation.