Selman Dede Mesire Area

Selman Dede Mesire Alanı is a recreational and natural area located within the boundaries of Selman Dede Neighborhood in the Bayraktepe region of Hendek district, Sakarya, at the foothills of Çam Dağı.

Previously under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the area was transferred to Hendek Municipality and subsequently developed with infrastructure and landscaping works to acquire the character of a natural park.

^{Selman Dede Mesire Alanı} (Hendek Municipality)

The site is equipped with infrastructure to meet visitors’ daily needs and support various activities, including picnic tables, a snack bar, drinking water sources, restrooms, children’s playgrounds, and viewing points. For sports activities, basketball, volleyball, and football courts have been constructed, along with a wrestling arena. Previously used as a sanctuary for wild boars and ostriches, the area is now suitable for nature walking and cycling, and periodically hosts various festivals and wrestling events.

^{Selman Dede’s tomb} (Sakarya KTM)

The recreation area derives its name from Selman Dede, who is believed to have been one of the region’s spiritual leaders. Selman Dede’s tomb is located within the mosque situated inside the boundaries of the mesire area and is visited by tourists for cultural and religious purposes.

^{Selman Dede Mesire Alanı} (Culture Portal)

Covered by a forested vegetation, the area supports a rich fauna. Animal species found here include the jackal, fox, weasel, rabbit, squirrel, hedgehog, wild boar, mole, field mouse, European pond turtle, salamander, spotted ground newt, and green lizard.

Classified by the Ministry of National Education as an “Out-of-School Learning Environment” (ODÖO), the mesire area functions as an outdoor classroom. Educational excursions are organized to support curriculum objectives in Science, Geography, Social Studies, and Life Knowledge by enabling students to observe plant species and develop environmental awareness and ecosystem knowledge.

The area, located 44 kilometers from the city center of Sakarya, is accessible via asphalt roads that remain open year-round. The mesire area is open to visitors daily from 08:00 to 18:00, with free admission. The site offers barrier-free access and guided tour services. Additionally, free shuttle services operate on weekends from Hendek Square at scheduled times (departure 10:00–11:00, return 17:00).