Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground is a multi-purpose playground in Lam Tin, Hong Kong. It is most notable being the first permanent recreational facility in Hong Kong built from a landfill.
History
From 1978 to 1981, the knoll currently occupied by Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground was known as Sai Tso Wan Landfill. The landfill served East Kowloon. During its operation, the landfill held approximately 1.6 million tonnes of domestic waste and commercial waste. Rubbish in the landfill stacked up to 65 metres high. After its closure in 1981, it was sealed with soil. The landfill then underwent a series of restoration works from 1995 to 2004, which turned the landfill into a recreation ground.
Construction
The ground was built from 1995 to 2004 from the former Sai Tso Wan Landfill. During the construction, the former landfill underwent a series of restoration works, which included the building of a final capping layer for prevention of leakage, a landfill gas control system for utilization of methane gas generated from the decomposed rubbish, and a management system.
Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground was commissioned in April 30 2004. The ground has a multi-purpose sand-based, grass pitch which can be used for baseball and activities, two baseball batting cages, a children's playground, a jogging track, two changing rooms and a management office. Unlike most urban areas which relies mainly on electric supply, the ground is powered by wind turbines, solar cells and energy generated from combustion of methane gas.
Location
Located adjacent to , the ground is a common sporting destination of many residents in Lam Tin. Its carpark also allows residents outside the district to access the facility easily.
Facilities
The recreation ground consists of a multi-purpose grass pitch for both football and baseball, two batting cages for baseball practising, a children's play area, a jogging track and a number ancillary facilities, including male and female bathrooms and an office. The ground is a training venue for the National Squad of the Hong Kong Baseball Association.
The ground opens from 7am to 11pm daily. Near its entrance is a main gate which has both a pedestrian ramp and a driveway, including an electric gate for the parking lot.
Environmental measures
Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground was built in part to promote environmental protection in Hong Kong. Therefore, it was built with a number of features for environmental protection.
Wind turbines generate electricity by wind, which can either be used directly or stored in batteries for later use. Most electricity generated from the turbines is used for street lighting.
s in the recreation ground absorb sunlight during sunny days and convert the energy into electricity. The electricity generated from solar panels is first stored in batteries, and then used to power the and s in the reception area.
Surface water, including rainwater, collected from the facility is drained, recycled and then used to irrigate the of the ground.
Rubbersoil, a recycled, lightweight and porous material made from cement and shredded old s, is used as a sub-base material of the facility. Safety mats in the ground is also derived from used tyres.
A statue made from cement, crushed construction waste and glass pieces was erected in front of the ground's office as a landmark of the ground.
