Mehmet Akif Ersoy Nature Park

About

Mehmet Akif Ersoy Nature Park, in the Sarıyer district of İstanbul, is one of nine nature parks in the Belgrad Forest and was designated in 2011. Named after the poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy, it covers about 23.14 hectares. The main gate is on the Bahçeköy–Çayırbaşı road; the park can be reached from the coastal road via the Çayırbaşı turn-off or from the Levent–Maslak direction by following the signs for Bahçeköy. Oak and hornbeam are the dominant species. The forest of middle-aged and old trees also includes oriental plane, black pine, silver lime, Hungarian and sessile oak, ash, oriental beech and alder. Around the café and event areas there are ornamental plants such as oriental arborvitae, Japanese spindle, bay laurel, lavender and weeping goat willow. Woodpeckers, goldfinches, magpies, sparrows, squirrels and lizards are among the animals observed. The day-use areas are suitable for picnics, and there are toilets, a country restaurant, a café, open-air event spaces and a children's playground. Forest paths can be used for walks. The park is also used for concerts, outdoor weddings, meetings and private receptions.