Landscape Opportunities and Preferences for Choosing Recreational Places of Megalopolis Residents (on Example of St. Petersburg)

A resident of a large city is increasingly in need of a complete rest in the bosom of nature, enjoy the peace and beauty of landscapes. The administration of megacities is concerned about the problems of preserving the natural environment and creating within the city limits a network of recreational areas where recreational activities can be organized. The necessity and importance of establishing a network of specially protected natural areas within the metropolis is not in doubt. But the status of the created nature reserves implies, for the most part, prohibitions and restrictions for the organization of recreational activities. A detailed description of recreational opportunities for the rational use of individual components of the city’s natural environment is presented. The authors conducted a geoecological analysis of the allocation of recreational areas in large cities. Features of nature that should be considered when designing recreational areas in large cities, on example of St. Petersburg, are noted.