RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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Zoological and Botanical Gardens
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, houses various mammals. The botanical section is mainly located in the old garden.
The Urban Council, which manages the facility, puts considerable emphasis on the breeding and conservation of endangered species. The gardens house 12 endangered species of mammals, birds and reptiles and, despite the urban environment, provide a most successful breeding centre. 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 species. Though less comprehensive, the mammal collection is varied and interesting. The mammals include the echidna, an egg-laying mammal; and the jaguar, the world's third largest cat. To further enrich the zoological collection, a reptile enclosure is being developed on the site of the old greenhouse and will be stocked in early 1994.
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 feature more than 500 species of trees and shrubs. The fountain terrace contains 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 shade house built some 40 years ago was demolished and a new greenhouse was built on the same site. It now houses some 200 species of orchids, ferns, cacti, succulents and other indoor plants.
In recent years, the educational role of the gardens has been further developed. Numerous school and club visits have been arranged.
Regional Council Parks
Over 510 parks and gardens of various sizes, including four town parks, are managed by the Regional Council.
Tuen Mun Town Park is the largest park in the New Territories. Occupying an area of 12.5 hectares, the park has an ornamental lake for rowing and a 160-metre water cascade, the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. Other features include an open-air performance arena, a children's playground and a skating rink. North District Central Park covers 9.6 hectares and is provided with a sports hall, amphitheatre, artificial lake and children's playground. The 8.5-hectare Sha Tin Central Park, with its Chinese garden and adventure playground, is the council's most popular park. Special features of the 7.5-hectare Yuen Long Town Park include a seven-level pagoda with a built-in aviary which houses more than 210 birds of 50 species. The park also has the first gateball pitch in the Regional Council area.