The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will extend the opening hours or make special arrangements at some of its venues for the public to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Details are as follows:
 
Aldrich Bay Park (Eastern District)
- Water Feature and Fisherman Hut Pavilion
September 17: 6.30am to 11pm (extended by half an hour)
 
Jordan Valley Park (Kwun Tong District)
September 17: 5am to 1am on the following day (extended by two hours)
 
Ngau Chi Wan Park (Wong Tai Sin District)
September 17: 6.30am to midnight (extended by one hour)
 
Central Lawn of Victoria Park (Wan Chai District)
September 18: Temporarily closed from 2am to 5am for cleaning operations
 
     The LCSD appeals to the public to keep places clean and tidy, and not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
   
     "To provide a better environment for members of the public to enjoy the festive occasion, we appeal to them not to burn or melt wax. They should not sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax. Metal cans or non-flammable containers should be used to collect melted wax for easy disposal into litter bins after the containers cool down," a spokesman for the LCSD said.
 
     "Moreover, members of the public should not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Furthermore, they should not fly sky lanterns, as it might cause injuries or damage to property and facilities."
   
     The spokesman said patrols will be stepped up at the department's venues including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites on September 17. Staff will be deployed to take enforcement action against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns at night.
 
     Members of the public may call the LCSD's hotline on 2414 5555 to report any wax burning or flying sky lantern cases, or other irregularities found at LCSD venues.
   
     According to the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax, sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax, damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant, or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). According to the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act which is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any person who is convicted is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.
   
     Littering offenders will be issued with a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000, while those who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns might be prosecuted.

Ends/Thursday, September 12, 2024
Issued at HKT 11:30

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