314
SPORT AND RECREATION
keen competition with other forms of development. Before the war, playgrounds were few; after the war, possible sites were dusty uneven pieces of land which soon became occupied by squatters. Despite these difficulties old playgrounds have been improved and new ones laid out, and apart from large parks and formal play- grounds a great deal has been done to improve the appearance of the city by tidying up small derelict roadside areas and, where possible, turfing and planting them with shrubs and trees. During the year, 17 new areas were developed, covering over 16 acres.
In the urban areas there are now 231 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, 47 basketball, 14 volleyball and 22 miniature football grounds. Of the 119 public playgrounds and rest gardens, 32 have provision for ball games. The Botanic Gardens attract large numbers of visitors, particularly at Chinese festivals, week-ends and public holidays. The development and administration of parks and play- grounds in the New Territories and on outlying islands are also a growing responsibility of the Urban Services Department and three new projects were completed during the year.
Improvements to Victoria Park included a floodlit exhibition tennis court, terracing of an artificial mound, a bandstand and two bowling greens. Libraries were constructed at the Ma Tau Wei service reservoir playground and the Lei Cheng Uk public play- ground. They are staffed and equipped by the Boys' and Girls' Associations. A second public swimming pool, now under con- struction at Kowloon Tsai Park, will be opened to the public in 1963. Work on developing the remaining park areas is in progress.
The Hong Kong Stadium, operated by the Hong Kong Football Association Ltd, was used during the year for football matches, athletic meetings, rallies, rehearsals, training sessions and parades by the police, the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force and Civil Aid Services. The Boundary Street Sports Ground in Kowloon was frequently used by schools for athletic training and meetings. On other Council-controlled playgrounds, Kaifong Associations organized performances of Chinese opera in aid of charities and