The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (February 4) that more than 30 Inclusive Parks for Pets will be opened in various districts from February 6 (Saturday) to enable park users with or without pets to enjoy park facilities together in an inclusive environment.
As there are more people keeping pets, and in response to the public's requests for the LCSD to open parks for them to visit with pets, the trial scheme of Inclusive Park for Pets was launched on January 1, 2019. Six parks under the purview of the LCSD were opened for members of the public to enter and use with their pets. A survey was conducted at the end of the year to review the effectiveness of the trial scheme, and nearly 80 per cent of the interviewees supported the regularisation of the pilot venues and provision of more Inclusive Parks for Pets.
The LCSD has regularised the six pilot venues and will designate more than 30 additional leisure venues across the territory for use as Inclusive Parks for Pets starting from February 6, after consulting respective District Councils. In all, over 10 Inclusive Parks for Pets are located at promenades or parks nearby to bring vibrancy to the harbourfront areas. Please refer to the attachment for the list of venues.
"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. 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. Additional supporting facilities such as dog excreta collection bins and hand-washing facilities will be provided for the convenience of pet owners and their pets in light of the actual circumstances. Cleaning work will also be stepped up," an LCSD spokesman said.
"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.
Park users should observe and follow the users' code for Inclusive Parks for Pets. Dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash. They should make sure pets are kept under proper control and are effectively restrained from causing a nuisance or danger to others, and should clean up any mess caused by their pets and keep the environment clean and hygienic.
Please browse www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/otherinfo/petpark.html for details.
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