Istanbul's green spaces growing rapidly

As more facilities have been built in Istanbul since 2011, the total area of the 25 parks bounded to the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks has reached nearly up to 5,000 hectares.

In light of data Anadolu Agency (AA) compiled from the Forestry and Water Affairs Ministry and the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, Istanbul has 25 parks with activities like cycling, picnics, trekking, photography, festivities, accommodations, bird watching and swimming.

Preserving Istanbul's greenery throughout the year, parks also attract attention for their wildlife. Nine of the parks are located on the Asian side of Istanbul, and their area exceeds 3,780 hectares. The total area of the 16 parks located on the European side is 916 hectares and most of these parks are in the Sarıyer district. The biggest of these 25 parks is Polonezköy with an area of 3,000 hectares. Şamlar Nature Park is second at 335 hectares.

Polonezköy Nature Park has rich vegetation along with pheasant, partridge and deer proliferation stations. The park is home to animals such as red deer, roe deer, wild boars, jackals, foxes, squirrels, martens, weasels, pheasants, partridges, sparrow hawks, hawk, goshawks, ouzels, goldfinches, woodpigeons, owls, magpies and sparrows. Şamlar Nature Park is also home to foxes, rabbits, squirrels, goshawks, goldfinches and magpies amid its many trees and plants.