Analysis of Environmental Consequences of Recreational Activities in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examines the environmental consequences of recreational activities in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-method sampling approach, 29 towns and villages were purposively selected and stratified by population. Five streets per settlement were randomly chosen, and houses were systematically sampled at three-building intervals. A total of 304 copies of questionnaire were administered and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results show that recreational activities contribute to several environmental challenges, including noise, land and air pollution, crime, and dirtiness. The calculated Grand Mean Weighted Value (GMWV) for environmental consequences was 2.98, with noise pollution and crime levels found to be statistically significant. These two factors emerged as the greatest environmental consequences of recreational activities in the study area, while dirtiness and smoke from industrial generators were identified as the least significant. The study concludes that noise and crime are the primary environmental impacts of recreational activities in Owo. To ease these effects, the study recommends that facility managers embrace soundproofed industrial plants and that security measures be strengthened to reduce crime. Overall, the research highlights the need for better environmental management and regulation of recreational spaces in sub-urban areas of developing countries like Nigeria to ensure sustainable and safe community living.