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RECREATION
bandstands; a roller skating rink and a fine aviary. There are also over 300 changing and lavatory facilities, cafes, refreshment kiosks, pavilions, shelters, car parks and barbecue pits.
Of the projects completed during 1966, the new Statue Square, opened by the Governor on 26th May, deserves special mention. This square in the heart of the City of Victoria formerly contained car parks and grassed areas enclosed by railings; it lacked character and was little frequented. To mark its centenary in 1965, the Hong- kong and Shanghai Bank, to which a part of the square belonged, conceived the idea of presenting the community with a new Statue Square more in keeping with its setting. The Hong Kong Govern- ment, which owned the remainder of the land, joined with the Bank and the result is a square with pavilions and illuminated fountains, 30-foot high trees transplanted from the New Territories, green lawns and colourful flowers; the whole vibrant with people. Hong Kong has at last a city centre of distinction and beauty.
Another project worthy of mention is the new floodlit children's playground on the roof of Wan Chai Market, serving a district desperately short of open space. In other similarly overcrowded districts it is sometimes possible to convert streets into children's playgrounds. Outside the city, land is less of a problem, and during the year 92 acres of the rugged Chung Hom Kok peninsula on the south side of Hong Kong Island were set aside as a public park. A noteworthy project in Kowloon is the new Sheung Li Uk Garden, substantially improving both the appearance and amenities of an important locality. In the New Territories six new public bathing beaches were established on Lantau, Lamma and Sharp Islands, while several more playgrounds were completed in the townships and villages.
The Urban Council and the Urban Services Department continued to devote particular attention to their amenity planting programmes. During the year 85,330 trees, 74,161 shrubs and 252,291 seasonal flowers were planted. The 36 bathing beaches have become increas- ingly crowded, while a record 1,224,508 persons used the two swim- ming pools at Kowloon Tsai and Victoria Park. The life saving service provided at Hong Kong's public beaches and swimming pools enjoys a wide reputation. In addition to regular life saving services provided by the Urban Services Department, honorary teams