11.2.4. Public access to green spaces

Middle East Technical University (METU) provides free public access to Lake Eymir and its surrounding green spaces, a significant natural area located within land managed by the University in Ankara. The lake and its surrounding landscape serve as an important recreational and ecological area, supporting outdoor activities, nature appreciation, and the conservation of local biodiversity.

Permanent free access: Lake Eymir is open to the public throughout the year. Pedestrians and cyclists can enter without an entrance fee, with pedestrian access permitted daily between 06:00 and 22:00, subject to the University’s published site rules. Visitors can use the approximately 10-kilometre route around the lake for walking, running, and cycling, and experience the area's natural vegetation and wildlife, including a variety of bird species.

METU has also contributed to the development and protection of the surrounding landscape through its long-standing afforestation efforts, initiated in the late 1950s under the leadership of former Rector Kemal Kurdaş. Today, Lake Eymir remains an important natural heritage area for recreation, environmental awareness, and scientific research.

https://ihm.metu.edu.tr/tr/eymir-gol-amirligi#