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@article{197695,
        author = {Olasunmbo O. Ademakinwa and Quadri A. Kareem and Deborah O. Augustine and Ayodeji T. Folusho and Obioha U. Uwakonye},
        title = {ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES IN RECREATIONAL PARKS: A CASE STUDY OF ALAO AKA BASHORUN PARK IN LAGOS STATE},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {11267-11276},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=197695},
        abstract = {This study assessed the landscape maintenance practices at Alao Aka Bashorun Park in Gbagada, Lagos State, and evaluated the extent to which these practices align with the institutional mandate of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) and established standards for recreational park management. Despite LASPARK's mandate (enacted through Law No. 13 of 2011) to create and sustain functional, safe, and aesthetically productive recreational environments across Lagos, observable maintenance deficiencies persist at many of the Agency's parks. Drawing on five theoretical frameworks—Ecosystem Services Theory, Urban Green Space Theory, Sustainable Landscape Theory, Adaptive Management Theory, and Facility Management Theory—the study situated its assessment within a robust conceptual foundation. Through semi-structured interviews with park users (n=20), maintenance personnel, and LASPARK officials, combined with direct observational assessment of the park's physical landscape, the research identified key gaps between maintenance policy and on-ground reality, examined the institutional, financial, and operational barriers responsible, and developed actionable recommendations to improve landscape maintenance performance. Findings revealed that while recent management changes (2024) have improved maintenance quality (user satisfaction mean rating = 8/10), challenges persist regarding limited park size, insufficient recreational facilities, and the long-term sustainability of upgraded infrastructure. A significant positive correlation was found between perceived maintenance quality and user satisfaction (r=0.65, p<0.05). The study concludes by proposing efficient space utilization strategies, structured maintenance routines, and sustainable landscape practices tailored to high-density urban contexts in Lagos.},
        keywords = {Landscape maintenance, Park management, Recreational parks, Sustainable landscape, Alao Aka Bashorun Park, LASPARK},
        month = {April},
        }