RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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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 1995, the nurseries produced 11 386 trees, 137 374 shrubs, 229 577 ground covers, 143 434 creepers and 4 230 seasonal flowers.
To promote interest in gardening and to educate the public on the importance of keeping Hong Kong green, the Regional Council organised 10 horticultural classes during the year, and conducted 98 guided tours and lectures for visitors at open days at the nurseries.
Hong Kong Flower Show
Since 1987, the two municipal councils have jointly organised the annual Hong Kong Flower Show. The show has been growing in size and popularity by the year, and has also provided many other interesting activities for the enlightenment and enjoyment
More than 70 local and overseas horticultural organisations took part in the 1995 show held at Sha Tin Park and Sha Tin Town Hall. It drew a record number of more than 440 000 visitors during its 10-day show period.
Green Hong Kong Campaign
The Green Hong Kong Campaign stepped into its third year with two initiatives: street tree planting and community involvement. The findings of the 'Urban Tree Survey', conducted by the University of Hong Kong with a research grant of $400,000 from the Council, was published in May. It recorded more than 19 000 existing roadside trees and recommended a five-year planting plan, the target being 2 000 street trees each year.
In 1995, the council introduced two completely new community programmes, that is, the Green Hong Kong Ambassador Scheme and the Green Hong Kong Camp, which were launched at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village in early August. Other popular programmes included community tree planting, nursery open days, a green carnival, a mini flower show and a Green School Award Scheme.
Summer Youth Programme
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The territory-wide Summer Youth Programme is organised each year for children and young people aged between 6 and 25. Social and recreational and community programmes help participants widen their knowledge, develop their skills, appreciate human relationships, understand the community in which they live and enhance their sense of responsibility to the community.
The Summer Youth Programme was officially launched on July 1, bearing the central theme 'Share the Fun, Serve the Community'. Between July and September, about 15 000 activities were organised involving more than one million young people. Total expenditure was around $46 million. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club gave $16 million and the balance was met by the government, district boards, private donations and participants' fees. A total of 44 outstanding volunteers were awarded Summer Youth Programme Scholarship and attended courses organised either by the Outward Bound School or other institutions.