XN000022-1986-06-16 — Page 6

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MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1986

+VICTORIA PARK'S SCENTED GARDEN COVERS 2 000 SQUARE

METRES AND HAS NO FEWER THAN 80 SPECIES OF TREES, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS CAREFULLY SELECTED FOR THEIR STRONG SMELLS AND UNUSUAL SHAPES AND SIZES,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY.

HE SAID THE FLOWERING PERIOD OF THE PLANTS AT BOTH SCENTED GARDENS WAS RELATIVELY LONG SO THAT THE BLIND HAD MORE CHANCE TO ENJOY THE STRONG SCENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

+BLIND PEOPLE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO TOUCH THE FLOWERS, LEAVES AND TREES AT THE GARDENS SO THAT THEY CAN GET A FEEL OF THEIR DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES,+ HE SAID.

+AMONG THE STRONGLY-SCENTED TREES AND SHRUBS AT VICTORIA PARK'S SCENTED GARDEN ARE THE WHITE JADE ORCHID TREE, THE LARGE-FLOWERED MAGNOLIA, MOCK LIME, ORANGE-JESSAMINE AND BANANA SHRUB.

+TREES OF UNUSAL SHAPES INCLUDE BAMBOO, WILLOW AND PAPER BARK TREES.+

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE A POND AND A BRIDGE AT VICTORIA PARK'S SCENTED GARDEN TO ENHANCE THE PEACEFULNESS THERE.

+TO HELP THE BLIND IDENTIFY INDIVIDUAL SPECIES, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL INSTALL BRAILLE PLAQUES CONTAINING THE NAMES OF THE PLANTS AT THE TWO GARDENS,+ HE SAID.

+NOT ONLY ARE THE TWO GARDENS CAREFULLY LANDSCAPED FOR THE BLIND TO ENJOY, THEY ARE IDEAL PLACES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO RELAX AND STROLL UNDER THE SHADES OF LUSH GREEN TREES AND TO VIEW THE BEAUTIFUL SHRUBS AND FLOWERS.+

MEANWHILE, THE SCENTED GARDEN AT KOWLOON PARK COVERS 400 SQUARE METRES AND HAS NINE SPECIES OF SHRUBS AND FLOWERS, INCLUDING CAPE JASMINE, ARABIA JASMINE AND BRAZILIAN LADIES OF THE NIGHT.

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