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People can enjoy leisure use of three ball games grass pitches managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) starting this month (September), thanks to a pilot scheme aiming at providing the public more passive amenities areas.
Leisure users of the three grass pitches, namely Happy Valley Recreation Ground in Wan Chai, Perth Street Sports Ground in Kowloon City and Fanling Recreation Ground in North District, can stroll or jog on the pitches.
A spokesman for the LCSD said the pilot scheme which would run for six months had the support of the related district councils.
The three pitches are open from 6am from Tuesdays to Fridays but will not be designated for leisure use during the following periods: (1) when the pitches have been hired for ball games; (2) weekends when the usage rates for ball games are usually high; (3) Mondays when the pitches are closed for turf maintenance, and (4) one hour each day for watering the grass.
Notices will be placed at prominent locations of the pitches to inform leisure users when the pitches are available for leisure use.
The spokesman said: ¡§Hong Kong is known to be a city of concrete with large green lawns being a luxury. The pilot scheme is launched to enable members of the public to have more access to the grass pitches for pastime. Yet we have to strike a balance in view of the keen demand for grass pitches by soccer and ball games players. To keep the grass pitches in good condition, leisure users can use the three pitches for leisure purposes only and should refrain from organised ball games or sports activities or training.¡¨
Besides the three pitches, there are many lawns in various parks and playgrounds in 18 districts for the public to enjoy their leisure time.
¡§A review will be conducted on the popularity of the pilot scheme after the six-month trial period,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Ends/Saturday, September 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:01
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