Exploring the use, behaviour and role of urbanites towards management and sustainability of Kumasi Rattray Park, Ghana

The paper examines the attitudes and roles of urbanites towards the sustainability of urban parks; using Kumasi's Rattray Park as a case. Using semi-structured interviews and observations, data was obtained from 217 users of the Park as well as relevant institutions mandated to manage urban parks in the Metropolis - Town and Country Planning Department, management staff of the Park, Department of Parks and Gardens and Environmental Protection Agency. Findings indicate that an entry fee was charged as a self-financing mechanisms for running the facility; and was thus deemed inappropriate by city authorities to further directly involve urbanites in management efforts. The Park was frequently patronised by the youth for outdoor activities. Contrary to other studies, participants did not prefer to regularly recreate at Parks within their immediate vicinities. The youth largely exhibited positive attitudes towards the sustainability of the Park. Whiles some participants expressed commitment to pay additional charges and make other efforts (voluntarism on safe use of facilities and sensitisation), others deemed the fees charged as enough to 'pay' for their contribution towards the Park's sustainability. Factors such as poor condition of facilities, undesirable behaviour of other users, environmental quality and safety concerns limited widespread patronage of the Park which confirmed assumptions of the theory of planned behaviour. The study concludes that management approaches should incorporate roles and concerns of users and should reflect on delivering and creating stable urban landscape conditions that promote an inclusive and sustainable development.