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RECREATION
model boat pool, bowling and putting greens, and a roller-skating rink.
Among the major projects completed during the year, pride of place must go to the 18-acre Stage I of Kowloon Park, which was opened by the Governor in June, and to Morse Park swimming pool, opened in December. Kowloon Park, situated on the site of a former Army barracks in the heart of the tourist area of Kowloon, when fully developed will contain the first public Chinese garden, adventure playground and floral clock in the Colony. Equally significant is the Morse Park swimming pool, the first of the new generation of 'pool complexes'. These 'complexes', which will hold up to 5,000 swimmers at a time, consist of main, secondary and diving pools, as well as three teaching pools and a paddling pool and children's play area. Two more such 'complexes' were nearing completion at the end of the year, at Lei Cheng Uk and Kwun Tong.
Other important projects completed during the year were the Road Safety Town at Sau Mau Ping resettlement estate, the Yuet Wah Street playground in Kwun Tong, Tsz Wan Shan resettlement estate central playground, and the redevelopment of the Boundary Street -sports ground to accommodate over 11,000 spectators. Still under construction were large new sports grounds at King's Park, Kowloon, and at Aberdeen, together with sizeable play- grounds in the densely-packed Tai Kok Tsui and Cheung Sha Wan areas of Kowloon. A large new stadium is to be built in central Kowloon for football and other spectator events.
The Urban Council, working through the Urban Services Department, builds and administers recreation facilities in the urban area. In the New Territories, this responsibility rests with the Director of Urban Services working closely with the District Commissioner. The Recreation and Amenities Division of the Urban Services Department now manages a total of 1,388 acres of public open space.
During the year 339,000 trees, shrubs and seasonal flowers were planted in parks, playgrounds, along roadsides and in other public places. In addition to its own planting programme, the Urban Council also encourages horticulture in Hong Kong by its