Peri-Urban Forests as a Recreational Environment for the Public in Kyiv, Ukraine

The study focuses on the recreational assessment of peri-urban forests as spaces for public rest and outdoor activities. Although peri-urban forests provide a multitude social and ecosystem services to the public, little attention has been paid in the scientific literature to evaluating their recreational values. The current study aims to assess the recreational potential of these areas for the public and to explore the role of native and non-native tree species in shaping landscape perception. The research was conducted in the peri-urban forests of three Communal Forest-Park Enterprises: Darnytske, Koncha-Zaspa, and Svyatoshynske, located in Kyiv, Ukraine. Using data from the Ukrainian forest inventory, the recreational assessment of these forests was carried out based on several indicators: proximity to rest areas, available recreation infrastructure, and the scenic value of the landscape. To explore public preferences for rest areas in peri-urban forests, a survey based on a structured questionnaire was conducted. According to the respondents, the primary factor in choosing a rest area is its distance (58% of respondents prioritized this aspect), while the comfort of the rest experience is largely influenced by the recreation infrastructure (30% of respondents selected this factor as a priority). A landscape featuring native (99%) and non-native (1%) tree species also contributes to the appeal of the area, with 12% of respondents considering the esthetic and scenic value of the forest a key determinant for their choice of rest location. To ensure sustainable management of peri-urban forests, it is essential to implement strategic planning that not only creates recreational spaces but also minimizes human impact on ecosystems.