18th Country Parks Visitor Liaison Group Meeting

Introduction

This information is a summary of recent comments and enquiries, from members of the public to the Country & Marine Parks Authority. To keep the public abreast of various matters, and for easily accessible information, the Authority summarizes its answers below.

Cycling Trails

One visitor noted that Country Parks' access paths are winding and narrow, and so can be dangerous if used by both cyclists and hikers at the same time. He suggested hiking trails should not be used for cycling. The Authority realizes that the simultaneous use by hikers and cyclist may pose potential dangers. Thus, mountain bike trails are designated at places with a permit system. However, there is a demand for more mountain cycling trails. Two trails, one at Tai Lam and another at Clear Water Bay, have been opened on weekdays for a one year trial. After the trial we shall carefully evaluate their uses, benefits and impacts.

Litter

Some visitors suggested that the Authority increase litter containers at "honey pot" areas and along hiking trails. Others recommended that we do not provide any litter bins along hiking trails, but instead promote the message of 'Take Your Litter Home'.

In the last few years, we have experienced a major shift in the preferred activities by parks visitors. Hiking or leisure walking have replaced barbecuing as the most popular activities. Now, due to the Sars outbreak, the Country Parks are seeing a large influx of new users, who are mostly interested in barbecuing. Many of these new users have been leaving large amounts of litter at popular BBQ sites. In response to this, the Authority has deployed additional staff and extending our working hours - so as to alleviate the litter problem.

Over the years, we have installed over 300 signs along popular hiking trails to promote the idea of 'Bring Your Litter Home'. The results are encouraging. We realize most participants to our programs act on the slogan, and this is our ultimate goal in handling litter in the remote areas. Nevertheless, to succeed the 'Bring Your Litter Home' slogan needs a fundamental mindset change, which requires support from the community. Without the latter we cannot entirely remove litter from the countryside.

Toilets

Some visitors have reported that Country Parks' toilets run out of flushing water - and that more toilets are needed for the peak demand periods. Some visitors pointed out that village toilets within the enclaves of Country Parks need a major clean up.

The department is very concerned about these toilet problems. The major problems of Country Parks toilets are water supply and restrictions of catchment areas. Because most Country Parks are in remote areas, with no mains water supply, our toilets have to rely on natural streams for water. And in times of drought or heavy use, there may be problems in replenishing the toilet water tanks to maintain steady supply. In the meanwhile, we are working closely with the Water Supplies Department (WSD), with a view to supply mains water to toilets in all popular areas.

Concerning the construction of new toilets, the installation of flushing toilets is generally not allowed within catchment areas. To provide better service to the visitors, we provide over 72 portable toilets for public use. We have also improved the cleaning work for all of our toilets, to cope with the increased use.

Concerning village toilets, we are forwarding the public's suggestions to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)

Waymarks and Information Boards

Some visitors have complained about misleading waymarks and asked the Authority to rectify this. Others have asked us to add more waymark route and direction signs. Some visitors asked the Authority install more information boards, showing the attractive and interesting features of the Country Parks.

Due to it being impossible for the Authority's field staff to be everywhere, all of the time, we especially welcome suggestions concerning route waymarks - as sometimes, acting illegally, people tamper with or remove the Authority's signs. Your observations and information can help us remedy any waymarker route problems.

There are now plans to provide more information signs, following on the positive public response to the Authority's new information signs on the The Peak and Tung Ping Chau. Our next target areas for more information signs are the main entrances of hiking trails, in the Sai Kung Country Parks and at Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve.

Hiking Trails

Some visitors suggested that the Authority put more resources into opening up more hiking trails and installing railings for public safety. On the other hand, many visitors have recommended that we keep the natural feel of wild areas - and do not build any more concrete paths. In fact, one group suggested that we should remove the concrete steps around Pat Sin Leng, to return the trail to a natural look. The same visitors also suggested that we dredge the drains on either side of the existing trails, to combat the doil erosion.

The Authority's hiking routes offer different degrees of difficulty to meet the varying preferences of hikers and walkers. Our prime concern is to ensure public safety, but it is impractical to install railings everywhere. And even if we could, this would defeat one of our main objectives as a conservation department - which is to maintain the natural feel and appearance of the countryside. Concerning the spread of eroded areas and gullies - this is a problem we actively work to prevent. However, the dredging of gullies would actually further spread erosion and lead to the formation of new eroded badlands. In preventing erosion, and enhancing trail access, we always use natural materials as far as possible.

Traffic Access

Some visitors noted that there are difficulties in using public transport or finding parking spaces to reach the Country Parks. Some suggested that ferry services could provide a new means of reaching some of the lovely, remote coastal areas.

Due to the road constraints, many Country Parks access roads cannot be used by double deck buses. Two examples are Route Twisk and the Bride's Pool Road. With regard to parking spaces, private cars have created serious traffic congestion at Sai Kung, Shing Mun and Tai Mei Tuk over the past few weeks. The Authority is now seeking the assistance of the Police to ease this weekend traffic congestion.

Education Centres

Visitors suggested building a wildlife education centre to promote conservation.

Other than our six older visitor centres and one nature education centre, we have recently developed two more outdoor nature centres in recent years. At present, we are planning another new center at Woodside, a lovely old building along Mount Parker Road.

The Dragon's Back and the MacLehose Trail Complaints

Some visitors were concerned that the Authority might turn the whole of the Dragon's Back trail into a concrete path - and that we might add more concrete steps to the MacLehose Trail.

In fact, as given in a message on our website, the Authority has no plans to do this - and these trails will be left as they are. For details of our other trail and path improvement works, please visit http://parks.afcd.gov.hk.

Country Parks visitors are advised that not all countryside trails lie within the Country Parks, and the Authority has no control over trails outside the Park boundaries. Concrete paths on some parts of MacLehose Trail were built by Home Affairs Department (HAD) to facilitate access of villagers. We have forwarded the comments of hikers to HAD.

Publications

Visitors suggested that AFCD produce publications with more variety. In addition to ecology, it was recommended to include history, culture and local restaurants.

The Authority's main emphasis is on nature conservation. However, with suitable places and topics, we are also keen to introduce the historical and cultural features of Country Parks. An example is our recently published guidebook called The Peak which, in addition to nature topics, covers many different aspects of The Peak .

Some visitors feel that our web site is outdated, with too little information. We welcome these comments, and plan to improve our website.

Increase Manpower

Visitors suggested that the Authority provide guided tours and increase patrol frequency on public holidays. To cope with the increased number of visitors on public holidays, additional manpower should be deployed to ensure the cleanliness of toilets and recreational sites.

In view of increased number of visitors, the Authority has already strengthened its patrol and cleansing services on public holidays.

We are unable to provide guided tours on public holidays, due to manpower constraints.