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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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In 1991, the council planted about 12 000 trees and over 800 000 shrubs, bamboos, creepers and flowering plants, some 90 per cent of which were produced in its own plant nurseries with the balance met from the commercial sector. The council's horticultural experts ensure that the plant species selected are attractive, robust and resistant to pollution.
With growing public awareness of the need for conservation, the council's staff are increasingly called on to assess and advise on developments involving the retention of trees, their removal or replacement. Wherever possible, trees which have to be moved to facilitate development are transplanted to parks, open spaces, or highway amenity areas managed by the council usually at cost to the developers. Similarly, increased assistance is now rendered to the government in vetting development proposals from the private sector to minimise the environmental impact and to ensure treatment consistent with a greener and more pleasant environment.
Regional Council
The Regional Council maintains 633 hectares of greenery in parks, gardens, sports grounds, soccer pitches, games areas, and children's playgrounds in the New Territories. It also manages amenity plots and soft landscape along highways and roads. In 1991, over 376 000 trees, shrubs, palms, creepers, ground covers and seasonal flowers were planted in parks, playgrounds and roadside amenities. The council manages four nurseries in Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Tai Po. The Tung Tze Nursery in Tai Po, which covers four -hectares, is the biggest. In 1991, the nurseries together produced 1 800 trees, 140 000
shrubs, 95 000 ground covers, 2 400 creepers and 166 000 seasonal flowers.
To promote interest in gardening and to educate the public on keeping Hong Kong green, the council organised 17 horticultural classes during the year. The nurseries also conducted guided tours and lectures for visitors at Open Days.
Among the council's amenities features are its theme gardens. At Hing Fong Road Playground in Kwai Tsing there is a scented garden, while Fanling Recreation Ground in North District has a garden of hibiscus. Residents of Sai Kung can rest in the shade of palms at the Sha Tsui Playground Garden. The Sheung Chuen Park in Yuen Long is graced with conifers. Roses carpet the garden at Tuen Mun Town Park. The year saw two new additions, namely, an azalea garden at the Yuen Long Town Park and an assorted seasonal flower garden at Sha Tin Town Park.
Hong Kong Flower Show
Since 1987, the Regional Council and the Urban Council have been jointly organising the annual Hong Kong Flower Show, which has become a major public event much looked forward to by horticulturalists and flower lovers. The 1991 Show, held at the Regional Council's grounds at Sha Tin Town Park and Town Hall in March, attracted 300 000 visitors. More than 60 horticultural organisations from five countries took part.