RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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Taiwan and the USA for display and educational purposes in the Forsgate Conservatory of Hong Kong Park.
Apart from planting more trees, conservation has never been neglected. The council's horticultural staff have been actively involved in the retention of trees on development sites, or planting replacement vegetation if the removal of the trees is unavoidable.
In view of the slow progress in planting trees on pavements in the urban areas, the council's horticultural staff drew up a comprehensive roadside tree planting programme in early 1992. Working closely with the District Boards, government departments and private organisations, 825 roadside trees were planted to beautify the city environment.
The Urban Council also recognised the need to further 'green' the city. It has designated 1993 as its 'Green Year' to make Hong Kong a garden city. A working group was formed in September to monitor all the relevant activities to be launched in 1993.
Regional Council
The Regional Council maintains 651 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 1992, over 367 373 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. Tung Tze Nursery in Tai Po, which covers four hectares, is the biggest. In 1992, the nurseries together produced 3 273 trees, 180 947 shrubs, 64 668 ground covers, 1 507 creepers and 137 707 seasonal flowers.
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To promote interest in gardening and to educate the public on keeping Hong Kong green, the council organised 15 horticultural classes. 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 Sha Tsui Playground Garden. Sheung Chuen Park in Yuen Long is graced with conifers. Roses carpet the garden at Tuen Mun Town Park, while Yuen Long Town Park boasts an azalea garden and Sha Tin Central Park an assorted seasonal flower garden.
Hong Kong Flower Show
Since 1987, the Urban Council and the Regional Council have been jointly organising the annual Hong Kong Flower Show. The show has become a major public event popular with professional horticulturalists and flower lovers.
The 1992 Show held at Victoria Park in March attracted more than 70 horticultural organisations from 12 countries, and was visited by 350 000 people.
Festival Hong Kong '92
Festival Hong Kong '92, under the theme Bridge across the Pacific, was the biggest overseas promotion ever launched by the Hong Kong Government in conjunction with the private sector. This festival, reciprocating Festival Canada '91, held in Hong Kong in May 1991, toured five major cities across Canada in September and October 1992 (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver).
A multi-faceted event involving a total budget of HK$40 million with the Hong Kong Government and the private sector contributing on an equal basis, Festival Hong Kong '92