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SPORT AND RECREATION
playgrounds a great deal has been done to improve the appearance of the city by tidying up small derelict roadside areas and, where possible, planting them with grass. During the year, 35 new areas were developed, covering over 28.14 acres.
There are now altogether 215 acres of parks, public playgrounds and rest gardens (including the Botanic Gardens and Victoria Park), providing 10 association football, six miniature football, two hockey, one rugby football and three cricket pitches, all grass covered, and 13 all-weather tennis courts, 40 basketball, nine volleyball and 19 miniature football grounds. Of the 108 public playgrounds and rest gardens, 29 have provision for ball games.
The Botanic Gardens attract large numbers of visitors, par- ticularly during the Chinese Festivals and at week-ends and public holidays. They are often used as locations by film producers, and for botanical studies by students. More equipment was installed in the children's playground section of the Botanic Gardens, and the aviary and the mammal collection were augmented by pur- chases and by presentations.
Hong Kong's first colour fountain at the Star Ferry Pier con- course in Kowloon was completed during the year. Oval-shaped and about 50 feet in diameter, the fountain is illuminated at night by multi-coloured lights playing on five jets of water which rise to a height of about eight feet. The water in the base of the fountain is also illuminated.
The development and administration of parks and of the first public playground in the New Territories are also a responsibility of the Urban Services Department and four new projects were completed during the year.
The playground which is at Tung Lo Wan in the Sha Tin district was opened on 27th April 1961 by the Chairman of the Children's Playground Association and handed over to the Director of Urban Services. The playground is fully equipped and includes a basketball court.
Floodlights were installed during the year at the MacPherson Playground, Lei Cheng Uk public playground and the children's pool in the Victoria Park swimming pool. Normal lighting was provided at Blake Gardens, King George V Memorial Park (Hong Kong), Argyle Street Playground, Lo Fu Ngam Resettlement