Planners bounce $276m plan off Legco

Authorities are planning to set up a harborfront leisure area along the Sai Wan promenade with the SAR's largest outdoor trampoline at a cost of HK$276 million, according to a government document to the Legislative Council.

The 1.32-hectare area will stretch along the 440-meter harborfront between Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sai Ying Pun and Western Wholesale Food Market in Kennedy Town.

The project is among the government's vision to fully utilize the city's promenades with HK$6.5 billion, as announced in Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's policy address in October.

The proposed Sai Wan promenade will begin construction upon Legco's approval and is expected to be completed in three years.

Upon completion, the promenade along Kennedy Town to Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay will be connected.

This will form a harborfront area that almost links the entire west coast of Hong Kong Island.

Authorities have proposed making the new harborfront area a seaview garden with leisure and fitness facilities. An outdoor trampoline, which will be the largest in Hong Kong, will be set up there, as well as walk-in water fountains and sand playgrounds.

"It will be the first of its kind as a promenade for visitors to play in, while admiring the scenery of the Victoria Harbour," the Development Bureau said.

That came as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is proposing to make seven existing parks on Hong Kong Island into inclusive ones for pets.

The parks will be Hill Knoll Pavilion at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay; Shing Woo Road Rest Garden in Happy Valley; Wan Chai Gap Park; Tai Tam Reservoir Road Sitting-out Area; Bowen Road Garden; Bowen Road Park; and Bowen Road Temporary Sitting-out Area in Wan Chai.

The areas will welcome pets shortly, but the exact date will be announced later.

The proposal is part of the department's Inclusive Park for Pets initiative that will open existing parks for residents and their pets, so they can share the areas with their furry friends without barricades lining the areas for humans and animals.

However, unlike pet gardens that are specifically designed for pets, residents must keep their pet dogs on a leash in an inclusive park for pets.

The initiative was first launched in January 2019 with six parks.

As of May, the number of inclusive parks for pets has been increased to 50.