Field trip: More artificial turf soccer pitches have opened to meet public demand.

Five third generation artificial turf soccer pitches have been opened for public use at the Happy Valley and Wong Chuk Hang Recreation Grounds, and Morse and Kowloon Tsai Parks. They are all converted from natural grass pitches.

Acting Assistant Director of Leisure & Cultural Services (Leisure Services) Richard Wong today said there are plans to convert more grass pitches into artificial turf in phases. Conversion works on seven grass pitches will begin by year's-end.

"The number of sessions offered by an artificial turf pitch is about four times more than that offered by a natural grass pitch. It is because the artificial turf pitches are not affected by weather, and they wear better than natural turf.

"The maintenance cost is lower. It is also more environmentally friendly as no insecticide, herbicide or chemical fertiliser is used."

There are 11 third-generation artificial turf pitches managed by the department.