Replacing the iconic and splendid Hong Kong Cricket Club

**Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong since January 2nd 1972 - I know the place.**

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Then and Now Hong Kong - Chater Garden in Central District

Replacing the iconic and magnificent Hong Kong Cricket Club

click on the image to enlarge

The Hong Kong Cricket Club | Central District | Hong Kong - 1973 or 1974

Foreword

This is about Chater Garden in Hong Kong, I have done a blog post about the Hong Kong Cricket Club (see image above) but it is time I stuck the boot in when it comes to Chater Garden in the heart of the Central Business District

I went to the Cricket Club numerous times as a kid in early 1970’s Hong Kong, amazing place really but even then plans were afoot to redevelop the site into a garden

Now let me be clear, despite its reputation as being a concrete jungle, Hong Kong is very green

Hong Kong is home to over 1,600 parks and gardens, a number that includes numerous urban parks, gardens, and larger country parks and special areas dedicated to conservation. These managed spaces range from small urban green spaces to extensive natural areas, providing a variety of options for recreation and enjoying nature within the city and its surrounding countryside

How can you take issue with that number, great planning by the Government but that does not mean they get it right every time, they do not. we all love parks and gardens and we have some awesome ones.

Chater Garden does not fir into the awesome category, it fits into the missed opportunity category.

Just a short walk away from Chater Garden is Hong Kong Park which is much bigger and far superior in every aspect except one which is it is a pain in the butt to get to, but once there it really is everything that Chater Garden isn’t

I would be remiss in not mentioning Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill in Kowloon - Nan LianGarden is just about 9 acres and Chater Garden is roughly 14 acres and frankly Nan Lian Garden is the benchmark in Hong Kong.

Now I appreciate that Chater Gardens is vintage late 1970’s so it is dated and needs a refresh and the Government is generally pretty good at doing that but for some reason, a huge garden in the middle of the Central Business District seems to have been forgotten about, it has hardly changed since it opened, which is confirmed later on in this blog post.

Some final points.

I always double check the information I get from AI - for the most part it is pretty accurate hut for this report it misstated the size of Chater Garden and I verified the actual size using Google Search and did not pick up the SCMP article that mentions the official comment from a Government official on the % of concrete area (which I think is more like 40 - 50% and not 25%)

.. and that is where local knowledge comes in, I have lived in Hong Kong since 1972, so I visited the original cricket club, I was here when they built Chater Garden and I have been here ever since and am familiar with Chater Garden as I have waled through it many thousands of times, Grok AI cannot replicate actual memories or first hand accounts and neither can it distinguish Government PR and actual reality.

I also doubt that office workers or tourists using the Park as a shortcut have the slightest interest in the park, all they see is this vast expanse of concrete which gets them to where they want to go.

At the end of the day I am pretty thrilled I have all of this new information, the Government always spouts a lot of pseudo new age bs about the role of the park but my own experiences of walking through the park is that it is essentially a short cut for residents and tourists, there is nowhere near enough shaded seating, there are no refreshment kiosks (it is crying out for a 7 - 11) but the reality is that no one is stopping to “smell the roses” because for most of the year it is simply too hot and humid, not to mention wet and there are not enough shaded areas, just the one big mass of fairly useless concrete,

Will the Government take note of this article - err No, will they do a study, err NO - nothing will change and it does make you wonder, nearby Statue Square which is a lot smaller has had a number of remedial projects completed over the years particularly in increasing the amount of pavillions to protect you from the weather, so it will remain a handy shortcut.

and finally, does the LCSD or the Leisure and Cultural Services Department who manage the Garden send Management Team to assess the Garden on a regular basis, I doubt it, has it nor occurred to them that there is not enough shaded searing and moast large fardens and parks have refreshment kiosks, nope - but they do a great job of emptying the rubbish bins and picking up litter!

below is an excerpt from my recent blog post about the Hong Kong Cricket Club

Why I dislike Chater Garden in Hong Kong so much

As a long time resident I have earned the right to have an opinion on Chater Garden.

I completely understand the need for public spaces but I could never quite understand the decision to create Chater Garden when Statue Square is literally 200 yards away next to the Court of Final Appeal Building, I appreciate Statue Square is smaller but to me Chater Garden is simply a means for workers to get to the Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre and all the other buildings on Garden Road, oh and not to mention the Peak Tram Central Terminus, I have walked through Chater Garden many, many thousands of times and to be honest you hardly see anyone sat there (particularly in the Garden part) all you see is a constant stream of people using it as a shortcut., quite simply there are a lot more people sat in Statue Square which is half the size.

… and do not get me started on the mass of concrete, what the hell where they thinking and since 2019, well, there will be no more protests using that patch of concrete even the the Tai Chi Groups no longer exercise on the concrete patch.

I like trees, bushes, plants, flowers and water features as much as the next person, I like to sit and people watch but I can do that in Statue Square which just has an iconic vibe that Chater Garden lacks.

I can also tell you that Chater Garden is probably the most expensive piece of land in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Government could easily auction it off for many billions of US$ - the amazing and very new Henderson Building (see image below) borders Chater Garden and is currently the most expensive piece of land sold in Hong Kong.

Personally I have no problem at all with another iconic skyscraper being built on Chater Garden!

Learn more | My recent blog post about the Hong Kong Cricket Club

click on the image to enlarge

Chater Garden | Central District | Hong Kong - 2025

Chater Garden Central District Hong Kong

Historical Timeline of Chater Garden (Formerly Hong Kong Cricket Club)

Here's a comprehensive timeline based on historical records:

1851

Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC) founded in June as one of the oldest cricket clubs outside England. The site, part of the Murray Parade Ground (a former military drill area on reclaimed land), is allocated as a sports and recreation ground in Central District. Initial pavilion is a simple matshed structure in the northeast corner. The ground hosts early interport cricket matches, starting with Shanghai in 1866.

1893

A more permanent cricket pavilion is constructed on the site.

1923

The final HKCC clubhouse is built opposite the Hong Kong Club on Chater Road. The site serves as a multi-sport venue, including athletics and baseball, for 124 years.

1941–1945

Cricket activities cease during Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II.

1946

HKCC resumes operations post-war.

1951

HKCC celebrates its centenary with commemorative matches.

1970

Town Planning Board zones the 38-acre area (including the HKCC site) for open space, government, institution, and community uses, prioritizing public amenities over commercial development.

1973

Urban Council approves plans to transform the site into a public garden after HKCC agrees to relocate.

1975

HKCC relocates to a new facility at Wong Nai Chung Gap (6 km away) upon invitation from the Hong Kong Government, influenced by urban development pressures and the construction of the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) system in Central. The old site is vacated.

1978

Construction of Chater Garden begins. The first stage opens to the public on October 20, designed as a multi-level urban park. Total cost: HK$7.9 million (about US$1 million at the time).

1979

Full garden opens, named after Sir Catchick Paul Chater (a prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist who shaped Hong Kong's early infrastructure, including land reclamation and the Peak Tram).

1990s–Present

The garden becomes a venue for political rallies, demonstrations (e.g., by Falun Gong), and public gatherings due to its location east of the Legislative Council building. It remains a public park managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, with no major redevelopments.

Description of the Garden and Its Amenities

Chater Garden is a compact urban public park (about 16,000 square meters) in the heart of Central District, providing a green oasis amid high-rises. It features a lush environment with over 11,000 trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, including 27 tree species that attract birds and insects. Key amenities include:

Water features: Lily pond, glass fountain, waterfalls, and pools for a calming ambiance.

Paths and walkways: A 'Tree Walk' path for strolling, a promenade, and viewing platforms.

Seating and rest areas: Benches, some shaded by trees, and an underground seating area for shelter.

Other facilities: Free Wi-Fi, manicured bushes, and open spaces for relaxation or events. It's accessible via Central MTR (Exit J) and often used by families, couples, domestic helpers (especially on holidays), and tourists.

Design layout: Three levels to maximize space in the dense urban setting, blending greenery with hard landscaping for durability.

The garden is open daily and free to enter, emphasizing rest and nature in a bustling financial hub.

Reason for Redeveloping the Hong Kong Cricket Club into a Garden

The redevelopment was driven by urban planning needs in the 1970s to create more public open spaces in overcrowded Central. The HKCC site, a private recreational area for 124 years, became available after the club's relocation. The government aimed to transform it into a public amenity to offer "relief from Hong Kong's concrete jungle," balancing rapid commercialization with community access to greenery.

The MTR's expansion in Central also played a role, as underground infrastructure (like stations and tunnels) made the site unsuitable for the cricket ground's continued use but ideal for a surface-level park.

Why Wasn’t the Land Redeveloped for Commercial Use (e.g., Office Building, Hotel, Mall)?

Hong Kong's land use is strictly governed by zoning under the Town Planning Ordinance. In 1970, the Town Planning Board designated the site as an "open-space zone" for government, institution, and community purposes, explicitly restricting commercial development to prioritize public benefits like parks in dense areas.

This was part of broader efforts to preserve recreational spaces amid Hong Kong's growth. The government chose to convert the former private club land into a free public park rather than auction it, emphasizing equity and urban livability over revenue.

In contrast, the adjacent Murray Road Car Park (a smaller government-owned plot) was zoned for commercial use and sold in 2017 for a record HK$23.3 billion (about US$3 billion) to Henderson Land, becoming the 36-storey The Henderson office tower.

That site was always intended for high-value development, while Chater Garden's zoning locked it as non-commercial since the 1970s. Redeveloping it commercially would require rezoning, which is rare for established parks due to public opposition and planning policies favoring green spaces in Central's "concrete jungle."

Reason Why Half the Garden is Simply Concrete (Vast Expanse of Concrete)

The garden's design incorporates about 4,033 square meters of concrete out of 16,000 total (roughly 25%, though perceptions vary due to the open central area).- and I stress that it is closer to 40 - 50%

Reasons include:

Multi-purpose functionality: Concrete provides a durable, low-maintenance surface for high-traffic use, including political rallies, protests, and large gatherings (common here due to proximity to government buildings). Grass would wear out quickly in such a busy spot.

Structural necessities: Underground features (e.g., seating areas, utilities, or MTR-related infrastructure) require hard surfacing for stability and waterproofing. The site's history as reclaimed land and its role in MTR development influenced this.

Design choices: The 1970s plan focused on promenades, viewing platforms, and water features, using concrete for accessibility and aesthetics. During construction, public concerns about "too much concrete" were addressed by the Urban Council, which emphasized that only essential areas were paved to support the landscape garden layout.

Regarding your observations: In Hong Kong's hot, humid summers, the concrete can exacerbate heat (urban heat island effect), and shaded seating is limited to tree-covered edges to keep central areas open for events or shortcuts (e.g., from Central MTR Exit J to Peak Tram on Garden Road). The design prioritizes versatility over daily lounging, which explains why it's often empty except for transients or tourists. Suggestions in media (e.g., restoring more grass) highlight similar critiques, but the concrete aids in crowd management during protests or holidays.

Given That Statue Square is a 1-Minute Walk Away, Why Build Chater Garden?

While close (divided by Chater Road), the spaces differ in purpose and design:

Statue Square: A 19th-century pedestrian plaza on reclaimed land, originally "Royal Square" with 10 colonial statues (now only one remains, of Sir Thomas Jackson). It's split into north and south sections by Chater Road, serving as a civic/historical space surrounded by banks (e.g., HSBC) and courts. More of an open square for photos, quick rests, or gatherings, but less green and without dedicated amenities like fountains or tree walks. It symbolizes colonial authority and is often busier with office workers.

Chater Garden: Built as a true garden for relaxation and nature, adding greenery (trees, plants) absent in Statue Square. It provides complementary recreational space, increasing Central's total public areas amid 1970s urbanization. The larger site (former cricket ground) allowed for a park-like escape, while Statue Square is more plaza-oriented.

Building Chater Garden addressed a need for more verdant, restful spots in Central, not redundancy—together, they form a connected public realm for diverse uses.

click on the image to enlarge

Chater Garden | Central District | Hong Kong - 2025

Basically they turned the cricket pitch into a giant mass of ugly concrete

Decision-Making Process to Turn It into a "Concrete Garden" Instead of Keeping the Famous Cricket Club

The process was government-led and pragmatic:

Zoning and Planning (1970): Town Planning Board designates site for public open space to counter urban density.

Approval (1973): Urban Council (a semi-autonomous body handling amenities) approves garden plan, viewing the relocation as an opportunity for public access to prime land.

Relocation Invitation (1975): Government invites HKCC to move to greener Wong Nai Chung Gap, offering better facilities; club agrees, ending 100+ years at the site.

Design and Construction (1978): Urban Council oversees multi-level design with concrete for practicality (events, infrastructure), balancing greenery with urban needs. Public input (e.g., letters on concrete) influenced minimal paving.

The shift prioritized public welfare over elite club use, reflecting 1970s policies for inclusive spaces. Keeping the cricket club would have limited access in a growing city; the "concrete" aspect stemmed from functional design, not intent to minimize greenery.

If the climate and usage patterns (e.g., heat, emptiness) were flaws, they highlight how 1970s priorities (durability, events) didn't fully anticipate modern needs like shade in humid weather

and so I go back to Grok AI with some more observations

Chater Garden Central District Hong Kong

As usual, thank you very much for your comprehensive report

Please note that since 2019 and the Hong Kong riots and the introduction of the Natioanl Security Law, large gatherins and rallies have not been seen in Chater Garden, there used to be a group of 50 people practicisingTai Chi every morning on the expanse of concrete, they have also disappeared. So in essence you have this large patch of concrete that is open to the elements with very little seating and no protection from the weather and as there are so few seats in shaded areas most people do not stop and enjoy the ambience - just personal observations and I am in there 3 or 4 times a week

I should also point out that as parks and gardens go, there is the quite massive Hong Kong Park at Admirality | Cottpn Tree Drive and actually accessible by steps across the road from Chater Garden

Hong Kong Park is everything that Chater Garden isn’t and is hugely popular with residents and tourists alike, 7 days a week

My point being, is that Chater Garden is very useful for office workers and tourists as a short cut but completely fails in it;s primary function as a lush garden with a relaxing atmosphere, there is somply too much open space (the concrete) and not enough shaded seating (like Statue Square or Hong Kong Park)

Thank you again

Thank you for sharing your detailed observations about Chater Garden and its context relative to Hong Kong Park. Based on your input and my understanding, here’s a comprehensive overview of Chater Garden in Central District, Hong Kong, incorporating your insights and additional details from available information.

Overview of Chater Garden

Chater Garden is a small public park located in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central District, bounded by Chater Road, Des Voeux Road Central, and the surrounding high-rise buildings, including the Legislative Council Complex and the Court of Final Appeal. Named after Sir Paul Chater, a prominent historical figure in Hong Kong, the park was established in the 1970s on land reclaimed from Victoria Harbour. It occupies roughly 1.4 hectares and was once part of the Hong Kong Cricket Club’s grounds.

Historically, Chater Garden was a vibrant space for public gatherings, protests, and cultural activities, particularly before 2019. It hosted events like pro-democracy rallies, candlelight vigils, and cultural performances. However, as you noted, the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020 and the sociopolitical changes following the 2019 protests have significantly reduced large gatherings in the park. Activities like the morning Tai Chi group you mentioned, which once brought life to the concrete expanse, have also disappeared.

click on the image to enlarge

Chater Garden | Central District | Hong Kong - 2025

Current State of Chater Garden

Your observations paint a vivid picture of Chater Garden’s current state:

Dominant Concrete Expanse: The park features a large open concrete area, which, while functional for events in the past, now feels underutilized and exposed to the elements. This lack of greenery or "lush garden" elements contrasts with its name and intended purpose.

Limited Shaded Seating: As you pointed out, there is minimal seating, particularly in shaded areas, which discourages visitors from lingering to enjoy the space. Hong Kong’s hot and humid climate, especially in summer, exacerbates this issue, making the park less inviting for relaxation.

Lack of Ambience: Unlike Hong Kong Park, which you describe as thriving and popular, Chater Garden lacks the lush, shaded, and welcoming atmosphere that encourages visitors to stay. It primarily serves as a thoroughfare for office workers and tourists moving through Central.

Post-2019 Changes: The absence of large gatherings, rallies, and regular community activities like Tai Chi reflects a shift in the park’s role. The open space, once a strength for hosting events, now contributes to its underuse, as it lacks the infrastructure to support casual, everyday enjoyment.

Comparison with Hong Kong Park

You highlighted Hong Kong Park, located nearby in Admiralty along Cotton Tree Drive, as a stark contrast to Chater Garden. Hong Kong Park, covering about 8 hectares, is a well-maintained, lush urban oasis that attracts residents and tourists seven days a week. Its features include:

Abundant Greenery: The park boasts diverse plant life, water features, and an aviary, creating a serene and inviting environment.

Ample Shaded Seating: Unlike Chater Garden, Hong Kong Park offers plenty of shaded areas and seating, making it ideal for relaxation, even in hot weather.

Facilities and Attractions: The park includes a conservatory, a visual arts center, a tea ware museum, and walking paths, catering to a wide range of visitors.

Accessibility: As you mentioned, it’s easily accessible from Chater Garden via steps across the road, making it a convenient alternative for those seeking a more traditional park experience.

Hong Kong Park’s success as a vibrant, multi-purpose green space underscores Chater Garden’s shortcomings in fulfilling its role as a “lush garden with a relaxing atmosphere.”

Chater Garden’s Role as a Shortcut

Your observation that Chater Garden serves primarily as a shortcut for office workers and tourists is significant. Its central location in the bustling financial district makes it a convenient pathway connecting key areas like the MTR Central Station, the Legislative Council Complex, and nearby commercial buildings. However, this utilitarian function overshadows its potential as a recreational or relaxing space. The lack of shaded seating, protection from the weather, and greenery means it fails to compete with nearby parks like Hong Kong Park or even Statue Square, which, as you noted, offers more shaded seating and a more inviting environment.

Potential Improvements for Chater Garden

Based on your insights, here are some potential ways Chater Garden could better serve its intended purpose as a public park:

Increase Greenery: Adding more trees, shrubs, and landscaped areas could transform the concrete expanse into a more inviting, garden-like space, aligning with its name.

Expand Shaded Seating: Installing more benches under canopies, pergolas, or trees would encourage visitors to linger, especially during hot or rainy weather.

Weather Protection: Adding covered walkways or pavilions could make the park more usable year-round, given Hong Kong’s climate.

Community Programming: Reintroducing small-scale, permitted community activities (e.g., exercise classes or cultural events) could restore some vibrancy, provided they comply with current regulations.

Enhanced Amenities: Incorporating water features, public art, or small cafes, as seen in Hong Kong Park, could make the space more attractive to diverse visitors.

Additional Context

While Chater Garden’s current state reflects the changes you described, it remains a significant landmark due to its historical and central role in Hong Kong. Its proximity to key institutions like the Legislative Council and major commercial hubs ensures its relevance, even if primarily as a transit point. The decline in public gatherings aligns with broader trends in Hong Kong’s public spaces post-2019, where restrictions under the National Security Law have limited large-scale events across the city.

For comparison, Statue Square, another nearby public space, retains some appeal due to its shaded areas and historical significance, though it too is more of a pass-through than a destination for relaxation. Hong Kong Park, as you emphasized, stands out as the gold standard for urban parks in the area, offering a model for what Chater Garden could aspire to with thoughtful redevelopment.

Conclusion

Chater Garden, while strategically located and historically significant, currently falls short of its potential as a lush, relaxing public park. Its large concrete area, limited shaded seating, and lack of protection from the elements make it less appealing compared to Hong Kong Park, which excels as a vibrant, green urban space. Your observations highlight its primary use as a shortcut rather than a destination, a situation exacerbated by the absence of community activities since 2019. With targeted improvements—more greenery, shaded seating, and weather protection—Chater Garden could better fulfill its role as a welcoming public space in Central.

click on the image to enlarge

Chater Garden | Central District | Hong Kong - 2025

Thank you again for your detailed insights, which provided valuable context for this analysis.

Chater Garden, located in the Central District of Hong Kong, is a public park established on October 20, 1978, on the former site of the Hong Kong Cricket Club. Below, I address your queries about remedial work, kiosks, additional seating or covered areas, and the percentage of concrete coverage, incorporating available information and clarifying discrepancies.

Remedial Work to Improve Chater Garden Since Opening

There is limited publicly available information detailing specific remedial work or major renovations at Chater Garden since its opening in 1978. The garden was developed in the 1970s, with the first phase completed in 1978 and full opening in 1983 after the completion of the MTR (Hong Kong's metro system) Island Line tunnel and station exits beneath the park. No records from the provided sources or broader searches explicitly mention large-scale remedial works, such as structural repairs, redesigns, or significant landscaping overhauls.

However, routine maintenance, such as tree care, upkeep of water features (pools, fountains, and a waterfall), and general landscaping, is likely managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), which oversees the park.

A 2015 event, "Best of British," and a 2017 "Light and Shadow Hong Kong Night" event, where the garden’s water pool was used to display an artwork, suggest that the park’s facilities, like the central plaza and water features, have been maintained to support public activities.

Additionally, the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Architecture has used Chater Garden as a case study for exploring architectural interventions to enhance its civic and programmatic potential, indicating ongoing interest in improving the space, though no specific projects are confirmed to have been implemented. Without explicit documentation of remedial work, it’s reasonable to infer that standard maintenance (e.g., replanting, pathway repairs, or fountain maintenance) has occurred to preserve the park’s functionality and appearance, but no major renovations are noted in available records.

Kiosks Selling Refreshments

There is no evidence from the provided sources or broader searches indicating the presence of kiosks selling refreshments within Chater Garden itself. The park is described as a green oasis with features like a "Tree Walk," water features, and open spaces for gatherings, but no mention is made of permanent or temporary kiosks, food stalls, or vendors operating within its boundaries.

Nearby, the Central District is a major financial hub with numerous restaurants, cafes, and food outlets within a short walk (e.g., Man Wah, Mandarin Grill + Bar, and The Aubrey, all within 0.2–0.4 km). Visitors are noted to bring their own food for picnics, suggesting that on-site refreshment options are absent. It’s possible that temporary food stalls appear during events (e.g., political rallies or cultural activities), as the park is a popular gathering spot, particularly for Filipino domestic workers on Sundays, but no permanent kiosks are documented.

Additional Seating or Covered Areas Since Opening

The sources do not explicitly confirm the addition of new seating or covered areas since the park’s opening in 1978. Chater Garden is described as having a central plaza, a "Tree Walk" with around 30 tree species, water features, and public toilets, but specific details about seating or covered structures are sparse.

A 2015 mention of a pavilion (cooling pavilion or " ") indicates that at least one covered structure exists, likely for shade or rest, but it’s unclear whether this was part of the original 1978 design or added later. Reviews from 2016 and 2021 describe the park as a place to "sit and chill" or "take a break," implying the presence of seating, such as benches, but no records confirm recent additions or expansions of seating or covered areas.

The park’s design emphasizes open spaces for gatherings and rallies, suggesting that any seating or covered areas are likely minimal and integrated into the original layout (e.g., benches along the Tree Walk or near water features). Without specific evidence of new installations, it’s likely that the existing infrastructure has remained largely unchanged since the park’s full opening in 1983.

Percentage of Concrete Coverage

You mentioned a claim that Chater Garden has 25% concrete coverage, attributed to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) article quoting a government official, but your visual inspection suggests 40–50% concrete coverage across the park’s area

Clarification on the 25% Claim: The provided sources do not reference an SCMP article or a government official stating that Chater Garden has 25% concrete coverage. This figure may stem from an external source you’ve encountered, but it’s not corroborated by the web results or broader searches. If you have access to the specific SCMP article, please share its details (e.g., date or title) for further verification.

Assessment of Concrete Coverage: Chater Garden’s total area is approximately 1.4 hectares (3.46 acres), not 13.9 acres, based on consistent references to its size as a relatively small urban park. The confusion about the 13.9-acre figure may arise from a misinterpretation of the park’s boundaries or a conflation with another site. The park includes a central plaza, pathways (part of the Tree Walk), water features, and landscaped gardens with trees and shrubs. These elements suggest a mix of hardscape (concrete or paved areas) and softscape (grass, trees, and plantings). Your estimate of 40–50% concrete coverage aligns with descriptions of the park’s central plaza and pathways, which are likely paved for accessibility and gatherings, contrasted with green areas like the Tree Walk and landscaped sections. Without an official survey or aerial analysis, a precise percentage is hard to confirm, but 40–50% is plausible given the park’s urban setting and functional design for public events.

Verification and Updates: No recent updates (as of August 12, 2025) provide exact figures for concrete coverage. The LCSD or Buildings Department might have detailed plans or surveys, but these are not publicly accessible in the provided data. Your visual inspection, suggesting a higher concrete proportion, is valuable, as urban parks often balance paved areas for accessibility with green spaces. For a definitive answer, you could contact the LCSD or check for updated government reports on park infrastructure.

Recent Updates

No significant updates on Chater Garden’s infrastructure (remedial work, kiosks, seating, or covered areas) are noted in sources post-2021. The park remains a functional green space, valued for its Tree Walk, water features, and role as a gathering point, despite increased foot traffic from tourists noted in 2024 reviews. Its no-smoking policy and accessibility via Central and Admiralty MTR stations (4–5 minute walk) remain consistent.

click on the image to enlarge

Chater Garden | Central District | Hong Kong - 2025

Summary

Remedial Work: No specific records of major remedial work since 1978, though routine maintenance is assumed.

Kiosks: No evidence of refreshment kiosks within the park; nearby dining options are abundant.

Seating/Covered Areas: Existing seating and at least one pavilion are noted, but no confirmed additions since opening.

Concrete Coverage: The 25% figure is unverified; your 40–50% estimate seems reasonable for a 1.4-hectare urban park, not 13.9 acres. Further verification from LCSD or official plans is needed.

If you have additional details (e.g., the SCMP article) or specific images to analyze, I can refine the response further. For official records, consider contacting the Leisure and Cultural Services Department or visiting https://x.ai/grok for any follow-up queries.

Thank you for sharing the details about Chater Garden in Hong Kong's Central District. Based on the information you provided, Chater Garden spans 5.6 hectares, equivalent to approximately 13.8 acres, and is built on the former grounds of the Hong Kong Cricket Club. The South China Morning Post article you linked confirms the historical context of the site’s transformation into a public park. The Flickr image you shared provides a visual reference, though it’s challenging to assess the exact concrete coverage from the photo alone.

If you’re looking to verify or analyze the concrete coverage further, here are a few points to consider:

Concrete Coverage Assessment: The image shows a mix of greenery, pathways, and open spaces, with some paved areas likely made of concrete or similar materials. To estimate concrete coverage, you’d typically need a site plan or satellite imagery with scale references. Tools like Google Earth or GIS data from Hong Kong’s Lands Department could help quantify the proportion of paved versus green areas.

Additional Sources: The Lands Department of Hong Kong or the Leisure and Cultural Services Department may have detailed site plans or maintenance records for Chater Garden, which could specify the extent of concrete surfaces. You could also check if the Hong Kong Cricket Club’s historical records provide insights into the site’s layout before it became a park.

Next Steps: If you’re aiming to confirm the concrete coverage or have a specific goal (e.g., urban planning analysis, environmental impact study), please clarify, and I can suggest more tailored approaches. For example, I could search for additional resources or analyze the Flickr image further if you have specific questions about it.

So there you go

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