Open day arrives for 32 pet-friendly parks

More than 30 pet-inclusive parks will open in various districts from tomorrow, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced.

It said yesterday people with or without pets can all enjoy park facilities together.

A total of 32 new parks for pets will open to the public - nine parks on Hong Kong Island, eight in Kowloon and 15 in the New Territories.

Of the new venues, 10 are located at promenades or parks nearby.

In January 2019, the department launched a trial scheme for parks accepting pets, opening six parks for the public to visit with their pets.

Following positive public reaction, the department decided to regularize the six pilot venues and designated 32 additional leisure venues across the city as pet-inclusive parks after consulting district councils.

"The aim of inclusive parks for pets is to enable members of the public who bring their pets into existing parks to use park facilities together in an inclusive environment, thereby promoting exchanges and integration in the community," a department spokesman said.

"When identifying suitable locations as inclusive parks for pets, the department has considered different criteria, including the demand of the public for these facilities, size and location of the venues, ancillary facilities and their usage."

The spokesman said additional supporting facilities, including dog excreta collection bins and hand-washing facilities, will also be provided for pet owners.

"The LCSD will consider the views of the public on the new arrangements and open up more venues for pets in the future if a positive response is received," the spokesman added.

The department also reminded dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash and well-controlled to avoid hurting others. A list of the pet-inclusive parks can be found at: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/otherinfo/petpark.html.