RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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A second major park located on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Park, was opened to the public in May 1991. It was constructed as a joint venture between the Urban Council and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, which donated $170 million of the total cost of $398 million. Among the park's facilities are the 3 000-square-metre walk-in Edward Youde Aviary, the Forsgate Conservatory and spectacular water features. The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware and Hong Kong Squash Centre are also part of the park. Educational activities are organised in the park for schoolchildren, with emphasis on conserving the natural environment and wild life resources.
The third major park development, Lei Yue Mun Park, occupies the historic site of the old Lyemun Barracks. The site was first developed by the Urban Council in 1987 as a holiday camp and activity centre. In view of its high patronage, the council has planned to provide more attractions in the park for visitors. One of the newly added attractions is a horse riding school funded and built by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. In the longer term, other attractions are also under planning, including a museum, an indoor leisure centre, a free-form pool and other facilities suitable for all visitors.
Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Managed by the Urban Council, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are the oldest and among the most popular public gardens in the territory. Situated on a 5.35-hectare site overlooking Government House, the gardens contain a wide variety of plants and animals, and are notable for their pleasant environment and imaginative use of space.
The gardens were constructed between 1861 and 1871, divided by Albany Road. The old garden, on the east side of the road, houses an extensive bird collection while the new garden, opened in 1871, is home for the mammals. The botanical section is mainly located in the old garden.
The Urban Council puts considerable emphasis on the breeding and conservation of endangered species. The gardens house 19 endangered species of mammals, birds and reptiles and, despite the urban environment, are one of the most successful breeding centres. This has been borne out by the increased breeding loans arranged through the relevant international breeding programmes for endangered species.
The bird collection is one of the most comprehensive in Asia, with over 1000 birds of 300 different species. Though less comprehensive, the mammal collection is varied and interesting. The mammals include diverse creatures, such as the echidna, an egg-laying mammal, and the world's third largest cat, the jaguar. To further enrich the zoological collection, a reptile enclosure will be developed on the site of the old greenhouse in late 1992. As the sale and transfer of stock among countries is becoming increasingly difficult, in-house breeding is now essential and has resulted in the development of local expertise in husbandry, aided by improved veterinary support for monitoring health and diagnostic laboratory work.
The gardens also feature more than 500 species of trees and shrubs. The fountain terrace features a large central fountain, and the landscaped surrounds include more than 250 species of ornamental shrubs and flowering plants.
The medicinal plant collection, established in 1987, has generated much interest. To update the display facilities, the existing shade house built some 40 years ago is now undergoing redevelopment for completion in 1993.
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