Konya Urban Forest

The entrance to the Konya Urban Forest, which is located within the borders of Meram district, is free of charge. The Urban Forest was established within the framework of the Konya Metropolitan Municipality's project to increase the area of green space, as a result of taking over the operating rights from the General Directorate of Forestry for ten years and landscaping the area. Konya Metropolitan Municipality opened the Urban Forest Park in 2005, creating numerous social amenities in a forest area of 5.270.000 m2. Within the 5.5 hectares recreation area, 5 kilometers of asphalt roads and ponds, natural walking trails, pergolas, sitting benches, football and basketball areas, observation terraces, prayer rooms, parking spaces, and fountains were built with the solar lighting system developed in 2004, energy is produced from sunlight in the Konya Urban Forest, which serves as the city's lungs, and this production is supplemented by two windmills. The electricity generated by solar energy panels during the day is stored in about fifty batteries and utilized at night to illuminate the park with street lamps and to power the electronic equipment in the social facilities and guardhouses. This system ensures that the Urban Forest Park's electrical needs are met continuously during the summer and winter.

Natural walking trails of 1 meter wide and 9 kilometers long were created in the forest, where resting seats were installed to the right and left of the trail. There are natural habitats where scouts can camp, as well as 3,000 m2 of grass and decorative plant areas, football, basketball, and sand courts, an area, and children's playgrounds in the Urban Forest Park. In addition, barbecue forbidden and allowed picnic areas to have been created in the forest. Students participating in the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Komek summer school undertake various activities in contact with nature on the playgrounds at the summer camp in the Urban Forest Park, having fun and socializing by getting to know one other closely. Furthermore, the Konya Science Center Astronomy Club, made up of university and high school students, holds an observing activity in the Konya City Forest. One of the most significant aspects of Konya's green texture is the Urban Forest Park, where young people camp all the time and people spend enjoyable time away from the tension of the city. The Konya City Forest has over 180 plant species, some of which are indigenous, as well as trees such as black pine, red pine, and scotch pine, juniper, oak, cedar, acacia, poplar, hawthorn, deer apple, and wild plum. Animals such as rabbits, foxes, wild boars, badgers, snakes, lizards, turtles, partridges, doves, jays, wild ducks, sparrows, thrushes, bee-eaters, nightingales, and goldfinches are also encountered here.

The Urban Forest, with its pure air, green look, and water, has become a major tourist attraction in Konya. The Urban Forest Park is open to the public throughout the day and nighttime hours, and residents may enjoy activities such as walks, picnics, barbecues, pond tours, country tours, football, and basketball. The forest, which is relatively extensive, peaceful, tranquil, and extremely clean, draws attention as an ideal spot to rest and relax. The tranquil urban forest, where you can capture wonderful images of animals and reduce city tension, allows you to breathe fresh air into your lungs.