A B S T R A C T
Urban parks serve as invaluable spaces for play, recreation, and relaxation, playing a crucial role in reconnecting people with nature and improving the quality of life for city dwellers. These spaces provide suitable venues for social and cultural activities. Consequently, improving and developing urban parks and addressing their shortcomings is essential for enhancing citizens' quality of life. Golha Park, one of Gorgan's most important urban green spaces, hosts various groups of citizens and visitors but appears to face challenges that require improvement. Therefore, due to a lack of in-depth studies, this research adopts a qualitative approach and thematic analysis (TA) to examine the status of Golha Park and its associated issues and problems. Data was collected through interviews with 22 park visitors, achieving theoretical saturation. The findings were categorized into 28 subthemes and 8 main themes: inadequate recreational facilities, lack of sufficient recreational amenities, aesthetic shortcomings, poor spatial planning, environmental issues, insecurity, and prevalence of antisocial behavior. These results can guide urban planners and policymakers in enhancing parks and improving the quality of life for citizens. Improving these spaces enhances citizens' lives and contributes to environmental preservation and public health. Therefore, addressing this issue and taking effective measures to improve urban parks is essential
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Today, all cities in the world are facing environmental problems. According to many environmentalists, modern cities are like giant beasts that consume energy, water, and oxygen and release vast amounts of toxic gases, sewage, and other pollutants, harming nature. This situation has created a significant challenge for human life and demonstrates the growing distance between humans and nature. In these circumstances, public green spaces, such as urban parks, are recognized as pivotal points for humans reconnecting with nature. The primary objective of designing these spaces is to increase human interaction with nature and achieve positive social and psychological effects. Green spaces contribute to environmental health, pollution reduction, and the improvement of citizens' well-being. Hey provides a space for rest and various activities and significantly impacts quality of life. With their unique physical characteristics, public parks serve as social spaces that strengthen social interactions and improve quality of life. These spaces provide a healthy living environment by reducing air pollution, strengthening social relationships, and promoting mental health. "In Gorgan city, numerous parks offer recreational and sports facilities for the people. Golha Park, with an area of 1.5 hectares and a linear-coastal design, is one of the city's significant parks. Considering its geographical location and the diversity of its users (in terms of age, gender, and social differences), this park requires a more in-depth socio-cultural analysis.
 The basic objective of this study is to identify the issues and problems of Golha Park from the perspective of its visitors. This investigation seeks to identify the park's negative consequences and provide solutions for improving its spatial-functional quality. More specifically, the ultimate goal of this research is to enhance the status of Golha Park and increase visitor satisfaction by identifying the issues and problems perceived by the said park's visitors.
 
Methodology
This research employed a qualitative approach to conduct an in-depth investigation of people's issues regarding the park. Sampling was conducted purposively, aiming for maximum diversity and using a snowball sampling technique. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants until theoretical saturation was reached and was analyzed using thematic analysis. Guba and Lincoln's approach was utilized to enhance credibility and reliability, which involved seeking expert opinions, comparing findings with previous research, attempting to clarify ambiguities in the interviews, and repeatedly recording and reviewing the interviews.
 
Results and discussion
Research findings revealed that Golha Park is facing numerous challenges concerning recreational, aesthetics, social facilities, etc. Participants highlighted a shortage of sports equipment and children's play structures, with existing equipment being outdated and unusable. In relation to aesthetics, the park suffers from issues such as non-functional fountains, insufficient tree planting and landscaping, and a lack of proper painting, negatively impacting the park's appeal. Furthermore, spatial issues such as a shortage of seating, inadequate spatial segregation, and poorly designed access paths were reported. Additionally, the presence of motorcycles and bicycles, the carrying of bladed weapons, and social disturbances have created a sense of insecurity among visitors. Social problems, including illicit relationships and tobacco and alcohol consumption, have also been reported, resulting in a decrease in the park's tranquility. Finally, the prevalence of antisocial behaviors such as swearing and dog walking has been identified as cultural challenges within this space, negatively impacting visitors' experiences. Overall, these problems necessitate attention and remedial actions to improve the quality of Golha Park.
 
 
Conclusion
As mentioned previously, the research findings indicated that Linear Golha Park is facing numerous challenges from the perspective of its visitors. To address these issues, several recommendations have been proposed, including the construction of entrance ramps, the installation of recreational facilities such as chess and foosball tables, the expansion of children's play areas, the creation of a health-oriented path along the river for walking and running, enhancing aesthetics through the installation of benches and flower boxes, increasing the number of trees, particularly along the riverbank and on slopes to prevent soil erosion, installing gazebos in grassy and sloped areas, and implementing culturally and naturally themed murals and paintings. Additionally, to improve security, it is suggested that the number of security guards be increased and plants be pruned or replaced with suitable species, such as rosemary, to prevent the creation of hidden areas. Also, the installation of directional signage in various areas of the park and the installation of CCTV cameras, improvements to infrastructure through a review of lighting standards, tree planting, and pathways, the leveling of the unpaved area in front of the park, and improved lighting to enhance security can be effective. A review of the river dredging program, a review of waste bin standards and their addition, especially near the river, and the use of erosion-resistant materials in critical areas, and ultimately, the enhancement of public culture through the provision of social and cultural services, including the creation of social booths and education on various issues (such as theft, addiction, etc.) on weekdays, and scientific studies and public awareness campaigns on dog walking, have been proposed. These measures can help improve the quality of the park's space and create a pleasant experience for citizens.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.