Residents can now take a stroll on the ecological trail in Taipa’s Avenida da Praia without making a reservation, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a recent statement.
The measure took effect on New Year’s Day.
According to the statement, the bureau has monitored the ecology of the trail, and after considering the situation it decided to open it to the public without needing to reserve a time slot.
The statement said that the ecological trail is one of Macau’s crucial wetlands. The statement noted that the five existing ecological ponds in the western section provide barrier-free access, whereas the eastern section runs through the important waterfowl habitat of the wetland in Avenida da Praia with impeded access. The southern section has an entrance to the barrier-free access, comprising three lotus viewing platforms and a large leisure platform for visitors.
The statement pointed out that in order to ensure that the waterfowl are not disturbed by visitor activities, the trail is equipped with a 200-metre bird-watching screen and three bird-watching houses, making it convenient for visitors to appreciate the avifauna, and learn about Macau’s wild birds and wild animals.
The statement said that the trail in the eastern section opens from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, while the southern section opens 24 hours. The statement pointed out that for those who want to visit the western ecological ponds can visit at weekends and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Off-roading track opens
Meanwhile, in a separate IAM statement on New Year’s Eve, the bureau said that it has opened a temporary Hac Sa off-roading track for children, adding that it has also extended opening hours for barbeque sites.
According to the statement, the off-roading track in Hac Sa is suitable for children aged 5 to 12. The statement underlined that the public can make their bookings through the “Advance booking system for visiting green facilities (Individual)”, and purchase tickets on site during the booked session for entry and rental of a quadricycle (only cash is accepted currently). The statement said that parents are welcome to take their children to play in the venue.
The statement noted that the off-roading track takes up an area of about 2,700 square metres, and an environment-friendly design concept is used. The statement noted that the track, with a total length of about 180 metres, is paved with natural sand and stones, and tyres are used as separation barriers.
The statement noted that the track is closed on Mondays unless it is a public holiday. The opening hours of the track, the statement added, is from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May to October, while from November to April, the opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The statement said that due to popular demand, the Hac Sa Beach Park barbecue site and Ka Ho Height Barbecue Park will extend their opening hours to from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The statement underlined that opening hours for the barbecue sites that require a reservation will remain unchanged.
This handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) shows the various sections’ opening hours – ‘red’ means that the section is open to the public at certain hours, ‘yellow’ means that the section is open 24 hours, and the ‘blue’ section means that it only opens on certain dates.
