If you're wondering where to go for a pleasant day in Izmit and have typed "Things to do in Sekapark Izmit" into search engines, you've come to the right place. Imagine a green oasis right in the heart of the city, adjacent to the deep blue waters of the Izmit Gulf. On the site of a giant factory where chimneys once billowed smoke, leaving deep marks on Turkey's industrial memory, today stands a massive park filled with children's laughter, kites, and tranquility. This is Sekapark, the most vivid example of how an industrial heart can be transformed into a green lung.   

In this guide, you will see that Sekapark is more than just grass and trees; it holds a history, a discovery, and a memory in every corner. We will detail what awaits you in this enormous 580-decare area, from the park's deep history to its science-filled corridors, from its energetic hills to its quiet resting spots. If you're ready, let's take a look together at this unique transformation story of Izmit and the countless activities it offers you.   

Take a Walk in This Huge Park Converted from an Old Paper Factory

Every step you take on the wide paths of Sekapark takes you on a journey that connects you not only with nature but also with the industrial and social history of Turkey. This place is tangible proof of the transformation of a giant complex that once met the country's paper needs into a living space where the public breathes today.

A Journey Through Time: The Story of SEKA

Knowing that behind the peaceful atmosphere of today's Sekapark lies the development struggle and industrialization dreams of the young Turkish Republic will completely change your perspective on the park. It all began in the early 1930s with steps taken towards the goal of national self-sufficiency. Within the scope of the First Five-Year Industrial Plan, which came into effect in 1934, the decision was made to establish Turkey's first paper factory, and this task was assigned to Sümerbank.   

The foundation of the factory was laid on August 14, 1934, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü himself. This was not just the beginning of a construction project but a giant step towards economic independence. The preparations for the factory's establishment were meticulously carried out by Mehmet Ali Kağıtçı, who would later become its first manager. Finally, on April 18, 1936, at 15:03, Turkey's first domestic paper was produced. This moment was such a significant event for the people of Izmit that a large crowd flocked to the facility to see the first paper produced. Atatürk's naming of this first product "the dough of civilization" was the clearest expression that paper was seen not just as an industrial product but as a symbol of the country's journey of enlightenment and modernization.   

However, SEKA was never just a production facility. The factory became an exemplary enterprise that brought vitality to its city by creating a living space around it. With its lodgings, guesthouse, cinema and theater halls, infirmary, nursery, recreational camp, and sports clubs, SEKA formed a self-sufficient social ecosystem. This strong sense of solidarity that developed among the employees created a special feeling of belonging called the "SEKA consciousness." With its bi-weekly magazine called SEKA Postası, its own radio, band, and even its own fire department, it was like a small city.   

This deep social bond was tested when the factory was included in the scope of privatization in 1998. The employees, with their strong union organization, resisted and had the decision canceled. However, privatization came back on the agenda in the 2000s, and the factory ceased its operations on November 8, 2004. Following a strong worker resistance, the ownership of the facility was transferred to the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality on January 27, 2005, on the condition that it be used as a public green space. This transfer marked the beginning of SEKA's transformation from an industrial monument into the Sekapark we all enjoy today. Therefore, as you walk along the park's paths, you feel that you are not just in a park, but walking on the grounds of Turkey's modernization adventure, a working-class culture, and a successful urban transformation project.   

Exploring the 580-Decare Green Expanse

When you leave the rich history of SEKA behind and delve into the park, you are greeted by the endless possibilities offered by one of Turkey's largest urban parks. This massive 580-decare green space is a paradise for people of all ages and interests.   

Paths and Trails: The park offers an ideal venue for sports enthusiasts with its wide walking, jogging, and cycling paths stretching along the 2-kilometer coastline. Whether you're going for a morning run or a pleasant bike ride with your family, the view of the Izmit Gulf will accompany you at every moment.   

Sports Facilities: You have numerous options to burn off energy. The park includes 2 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, 1 football field, a mini-golf course, and a skateboard park, a favorite among young people. Additionally, you can carry out your sports routine in nature with outdoor fitness equipment.   

Relaxation and Scenery: For those who just want to relax and enjoy the moment, there are seating areas, picnic and barbecue spots, a rose garden, and peaceful ornamental pools scattered throughout the park. You can lie on the grass and read your book or relieve the day's fatigue by chatting with friends.   

Family and Children's Fun: Sekapark is a complete entertainment center for families. Specially designed playgrounds, water play centers, and a carousel ensure that young visitors have unforgettable moments.   

The park's richness makes it not only a recreational area but also a vital part of the city's social life. If you'd like to explore more green spaces, you can also check out our Things to Do in Izmit page.

Explore the Interactive Experimental Setups at the Kocaeli Science Center

Within the lush texture of Sekapark, two important structures rise, inviting you into the fascinating world of science and history: the Kocaeli Science Center and the SEKA Paper Museum. These centers prove that the park is not just a recreational area but also one of the region's most important cultural and educational hubs.

Where Industry Meets Innovation

The most striking feature of these two centers is that they are located in the carefully restored original buildings of the historic SEKA factory. Instead of demolishing the factory and constructing modern buildings, the conscious choice was made to preserve and repurpose the industrial heritage. This approach establishes a strong dialogue between the past and the future. The fact that a science center, where knowledge is explored in a modern and interactive way, is now located within the walls of an industrial facility that once produced paper, the traditional medium of knowledge in the country, is a very meaningful transformation. This serves as a symbolic bridge, showing how Turkey's 20th-century industrial heritage is blended with its 21st-century science and technology goals. This is not a story of destruction, but of evolution, and it makes visitors feel this unique atmosphere at every step.   

Kocaeli Science Center: A Hands-On Adventure

The Kocaeli Science Center, run in collaboration with TÜBİTAK, is a dynamic center that encourages visitors of all ages to experiment and discover science with its "touching is allowed" motto. Spanning an area of approximately 15,000 square meters, countless adventures await you.   

Exhibits and Setups: The center hosts about 250 interactive experimental setups. These setups are organized around four main galleries:   

Perception and Reality Gallery: Appealing to your senses of sight, hearing, and touch, this gallery invites you to play with your perceptions. You can observe the refraction of light with disappearing glass rods, see sound pitches with a sound spectrogram, and experience how different creatures hear the world with ear tricks.   

Dynamic World Gallery: This gallery allows you to explore the universe from the molecular level to galactic dimensions. You can interactively learn about the dynamic structure of the universe, from models showing how hurricanes form to DNA helices.   

Sultans of Science Gallery: This exhibition, which explains how the Islamic world experienced its golden age of science while Europe was in its dark ages, takes you on an inspiring journey through history. You get the opportunity to learn about the unique discoveries and inventions of Muslim scholars up close.   

Workshops and Events: The Science Center is far beyond the concept of a static museum. More than 50 different workshop programs offer hands-on training for all age groups. Additionally, Turkey's first "Industry 4.0 Inventor Laboratory" was established here. Regularly held science shows, talks, and camps make science fun and accessible for everyone.   

One of the best parts is that admission to the Kocaeli Science Center is completely free. This makes the center an invaluable public educational resource.   

SEKA Mehmed Ali Kağıtçı Paper Museum

Located right next to the Science Center, the SEKA Mehmed Ali Kağıtçı Paper Museum complements this scientific journey of discovery with a historical foundation. The museum, which sheds light on the history of Turkey's paper industry, keeps the legacy of the factory and its founder alive. It offers visitors the chance to follow the paper production process step-by-step from past to present, revealing the industrial foundation upon which the innovation in the Science Center is built.   

Fly a Kite on Kite Hill or Just Relax on the Grass

Within the vast grounds of Sekapark, there is a place that is not just a geographical point in the park, but where its social and cultural heart beats: Kite Hill (Uçurtma Tepesi). This hill, as its name suggests, is the permanent home of colorful kites dancing in the sky, children's joyful laughter, and friendly conversations against the backdrop of the Izmit Gulf.   

The Social and Cultural Heartbeat of İzmit

The view that greets you when you climb Kite Hill summarizes the living spirit of Izmit. This hill, where babies take their first steps, fathers teach their children to ride bikes, and groups of friends watch the sunset while sipping their tea, is like a common warm home for the city. However, the function of this hill goes far beyond individual relaxation and entertainment. Kite Hill serves as a critical "social infrastructure" for Kocaeli.   

This is a public square where the city comes together, celebrates, and shares its common feelings. It hosts countless organizations, from large concerts organized by the municipality to thematic festivals like the "Women and Children's Festival" , and special day events like "He is My Hero." These events are not just for entertainment; they also carry social messages and a spirit of solidarity. For example, the release of hundreds of balloons in the colors of the Palestinian flag into the sky during a festival to draw attention to the humanitarian drama in Palestine is one of the best examples of how this hill has turned into a platform for civil participation and social awareness. Therefore, Kite Hill is not only the most vibrant spot in Sekapark but also an indispensable center where Izmit's collective identity and shared memories are built.   

A Stage for Festivals and Events

To understand how versatile Kite Hill is as an event venue, one only needs to look at the content of the festivals held there. For example, the Kite Festival held on Father's Day is not just about flying kites. The day-long program includes a variety of activities such as the "From Body to Play" workshop, a father-child rhythm group, the "Families Compete" program presented by Ceyhun Yılmaz, photo areas, and simulation devices. Similarly, the Women and Children's Festival organized by the Izmit Municipality features various creative and educational activities, from an English story workshop to a candle-making workshop.   

These events demonstrate the capacity of Kite Hill's large and flexible structure to successfully host large-scale and multifaceted organizations. If you are curious about the event calendar in the region while planning your visit, you can make your trip even more colorful by checking out our current article on Festivals and Events in Kocaeli.

Other Stops to Explore in and Around Sekapark

Don't think the adventure is over when your tour of Sekapark ends. The park itself and its immediate surroundings are full of many more stops to discover. Whether you want to take a delicious break within the park, dive into the city's historical texture with a short walk, or get in your car to explore the region's natural beauties.

Flavor and Relaxation Spots Inside the Park

You don't need to leave the park to relieve the day's fatigue or to have a meal. Sekapark offers a rich variety of options with its various cafes and restaurants. The fish restaurants located near the marina pier are a great opportunity to taste fresh seafood with a magnificent view of the gulf. Additionally, you can take a tea break at the kiosks and cafes scattered around the park and enjoy the sea and tranquility with a peaceful walk on the pier.   

Historical and Cultural Treasures Within Walking Distance

Sekapark's central location means it is just a few minutes' walk from Izmit's most important historical and cultural sites. You can easily turn your park visit into a city tour:

Izmit Clock Tower: Located just a few minutes from the park, this elegant tower was built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sultan Abdülhamid II's accession to the throne and is the city's most famous symbol.   

Gayret Ship Museum: As Turkey's first ship museum, the TCG Gayret is a must-see for those interested in maritime history. You can tour the inside of the ship and learn interesting facts about life on a warship.   

Kasr-ı Hümayun Palace Museum: Also known as the Hunting Lodge, this impressive Ottoman palace offers one of the finest examples of the period's architecture. The palace, which is free to visit, takes you on a journey through history.   

Kocaeli Archaeology and Ethnography Museum: Located within the historic Izmit Train Station complex, this museum houses archaeological finds from Kocaeli and its surroundings. Some of the Roman-Byzantine artifacts found during the factory's foundation excavations are also part of its collection.   

Natural Wonders a Short Drive Away

If you have time and want to explore more of the natural beauties Kocaeli has to offer, Sekapark is an excellent starting point. Countless natural wonders, each offering a different experience, await you just a short drive away. We have prepared the following comparison table to help you decide which route is best for you.

While You're Here...

As you can see, Sekapark is much more than just a park. It is a unique place where Turkey's industrial memory and modern urban life, the intriguing world of science and the relaxing embrace of nature, and individual peace and communal enthusiasm intertwine. The factory that once produced the "dough of civilization" has now transformed into a dough of life that nourishes the souls of Izmit and all its visitors. On your next getaway, give yourself a chance to explore this massive green oasis, learn its history, and feel its energy. Sekapark is full of surprises waiting for you in every corner.

For More Information

For more official information about the exhibitions, workshops, and current events at the Kocaeli Science Center, you can visit TÜBİTAK's website (https://bilimmerkezleri.tubitak.gov.tr/kocaelibilimmerkezi).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is there an entrance fee for Sekapark? No, admission to Sekapark and the Kocaeli Science Center within the park is completely free. Private businesses (cafes, restaurants, etc.) within the park have their own pricing.   

2. How much are the parking fees at Sekapark? Sekapark has a large parking area with a capacity for 2,000 vehicles. Parking fees may be subject to the general parking tariffs of the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. As these tariffs can change over time, it is recommended to check for the most current information during your visit. Municipal parking lots often offer a short initial period (e.g., 0-25 minutes) for free and then apply an hourly rate.   

3. When are the museums in Sekapark (Science Center, Paper Museum) open? Both the Kocaeli Science Center and the SEKA Paper Museum are closed on Mondays. On other days of the week, from Tuesday to Sunday, they are generally open to visitors between 09:00 and 17:30.