country park

country park = 郊野公園

郊野公園是一個給遊人享受郊遊樂趣的公園。


歷史
「郊野公園」這名稱源用於英國。在英格蘭和威爾斯地區，有大約250個郊野公園。這個郊野公園大部份都是英國政府在1970年代根據《Countryside Act 1968》所劃分出來的。近年來因為缺乏經濟上的支持，少了新的郊野公園。而除了小部份的私營郊野公園之外，大部份的都是由地方部門所管理。

香港在殖民地時期，亦跟隨英國劃分了多個郊野公園。香港政府在1976年制定《郊野公園條例》，將香港四成的地方闢設為郊野公園。而在1996年頒布的海岸公園及海岸保護區規例則更將保護區域包括了香港海洋環境。截至2005年，香港共有23個郊野公園、17個特別地區以及5個海岸公園及海岸保護區。


用途
郊野公園的存在的是為了使市民在鄰近市區的地方可以享受到郊野的康樂和教育設施，而無需深入廣大的國家公園。至於闢設特別地區的目的，則主要是為了保護大自然。

Country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.

A country park usually has some more formal facilities, such as a car park, toilets, maybe a cafe or kiosk, paths and trails, and some information for visitors. Some have much more, with museums, visitor centres, educational facilities, historic buildings, farms, boating, fishing, and other attractions.

Many larger country parks organise entertainment for visitors, and are venues for firework displays, shows and fairs and other large, outdoor events.

There is not necessarily any public right of access to Country Parks, and visitors are usually subject to by-laws when they enter the park. Some charge for car parking, some are free.

These parks vary tremendously from one to another, and really have only their purpose in common: to provide easy access to the countryside for those living in the towns and suburbs. They do not necessarily have any great nature conservation interest, although often this is the case.