Hong Kong Park


Hong Kong Park is a public park next to Cotton Tree Drive in Central, Hong Kong. Built at a cost of HK$398 million and opened on 23 May 1991, it covers an area of and is an example of modern design and facilities blending with natural landscape.
WWW lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/hkp

History

Part of the site was known as Cantonment Hill in early colonial days in 1841. At the upper part of the former location of the Victoria Barracks, built between 1867 and 1910, the barracks were handed to the government in 1979. Glenealy Junior School occupied part of this site up until 1988. After the school vacated the site, the area was turned into the present park. Hong Kong Park was officially opened on 23 May 1991 by Sir David Wilson, the Governor of Hong Kong at that time. It covers an area of 8 hectares and is an outstanding example of modern design and facilities blending with the natural landscape.
The construction of the park was a joint project by the Urban Council and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Historic buildings

A few historic buildings of former Victoria Barracks were also conserved in the park, including:
  • Cassels Block, former barracks for married British officers. Now housing the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre since 1992
  • Rawlinson House, former house of the British Deputy General, converted in the 1980s into Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry and the office of the park.
  • Wavell House, former quarters for married British officers, converted in 1991 into the aviary support centre.
These historic buildings are graded as Grade II Historic Buildings.
The park can be easily reached by walking through the Pacific Place and its nearby escalator.

Facilities

Hong Kong Park captures the natural landscape in the busy and crowded business centre. Its main feature is Edward Youde Aviary which is Hong Kong's largest aviary while the Vantage Point is another great place to see the "bird exhibition". There is also a greenhouse which holds "plant exhibition" such as "Orchid Exhibition" temporarily. There are also many modern gardens, including Garden Plaza and tai chi Garden. To suit the sport-lovers, a sport centre and a squash centre were also built in Hong Kong Park.

Awards