ENG-2004 — Page 528

458 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

Philippines whose splendid masterpieces, on site demonstrations and performances were a visual feast for the spectators. Horticultural and cultural units from 16 provinces and 30 cities in the Mainland were also invited to present their distinctive landscape displays and cultural performances. The State Ministry of Construction also staged an exhibition, Gem of China Exhibition of Chinese Landscape and Scenic Spots.

Horticulture and Landscape Services/Projects

The LCSD is responsible for improving the environment of Hong Kong through the planting of ornamental trees and shrubs in public gardens and roadside amenity areas, and the preservation of trees. It maintains all public open spaces in the form of parks, gardens, sports grounds, football pitches and children's playgrounds, and also amenity plots and soft landscape plantings alongside highways and public roads. The services provided include landscape planting, horticultural research, tree maintenance and conservation. During the year, the department planted 22 000 trees as well as 3.1 million shrubs and seasonal flowers at these places and carried out landscape improvement projects for 33 hectares of park land and roadside amenity areas, including footbridges.

Beautification of Footbridges

To enhance urban greenery and improve the environment of existing footbridges, the LCSD implemented an improvement programme at footbridges located in various districts by planting flowering plants in portable planters. The programme was completed in December, covering 13 footbridges.

Summer Youth Programme

The Summer Youth Programme is a large-scale community building programme which provides a variety of activities in the summer vocation for children and young people aged from 6 to 25. With the year's slogan 'Values Update and Upgrade; Hong Kong - Leap to a New Stage', the programme focused on sports, cultural and art activities to inspire and enhance the self-confidence and creativity of young people. All-round development training programmes were also organised to help young people to better equip themselves for Hong Kong and the future.

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In 2004, over 13 600 activities were organised, and more than 1.7 million young people took part. The total cost of the activities amounted to over 35 million, of which $19 million was donated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Fund and the balance was covered by subvention from the Government and District Councils, private donations and participants' fees.

Home Pages

Home Affairs Bureau: http://www.hab.gov.hk

Leisure and Cultural Services Department: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: http://www.afcd.gov.hk