King George V Memorial Park, Hong Kong 2.68

King George V Memorial Park, Hong Kong is an urban park in Sai Ying Pun and one of the few parks in Hong Kong bearing the former colonial links to the territory's past.The park contains a basketball court, a hard surface football ground, sitting out areas, a public toilet, and a child care centre. Access is available from Eastern Street and Hospital Road.Sai Ying Pun Community Complex is located near the park.HistoryThere are two King George V Memorial Parks in Hong Kong. One is on the Hong Kong Island while the other is located in Jordan, Kowloon.In 1936, the one on Hong Kong Island was built. In the same year, King George V died and the Hong Kong government renamed the park King George V Memorial Park, Hong Kong.In 1940, the Memorial Park in Kowloon, King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, was built; it is located beside Canton Road. Administrator Norman Lockhart Smith hosted the ceremony for this park. It had a statue of King George V in the centre of the park. During the Japanese occupation, facilities were destroyed. Three Chinese styled kiosks were built after World War II.West Island Line constructionIn March 2004, the MTR changed the planned location of the Sai Ying Pun (MTR) station east and south of the initial alignment to an area deep under King George V Memorial Park. A source from MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) revealed to the local newspaper Ming Pao that this location was chosen to avoid any nuisance during works under major roads. The location would also better serve Mid-Levels residents, the MTR said. Part of the park was closed temporarily to the public for the duration of construction.