PROMOTING OUTDOOR RECREATION THROUGH LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF NEGLECTED MINING PONDS IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE

Recreation is a rewarding activity which an individual voluntarily participates in during leisure time to develop some skills which produce feelings of excitement, relaxation and satisfaction. This study explores the plausibility for transforming neglected mining ponds into vibrant recreational facilities ponds in Jos South LGA Plateau State. Through adaptive reuse strategies, the study aims to revitalize these areas, integrate them into the urban fabric as spaces for recreation and environmental restoration. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study revealed that mining activities and erosion are the major contributors to the degraded landscape of the affected community. Hence the need for acute measures to be put in place as more and more mines lay waste and pose as a threat to health and the environment at large. This approach offers a roadmap for community dwellers, built environment professionals, and policymakers to reclaim these sites, turning them into assets that contribute to the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of Jos Metropolis