In the 1950s, Po Lam Road was built to connect Sai Kung with the Haven of Hope Tuberculosis Sanatorium (now the Haven of Hope Hospital). The road’s name was taken from the Chinese translation of the first name of Barbara B. Whitener, the wife of Rev. Sterling H. Whitener, a missionary based at the sanatorium at the time. Po Lam Estate, which is named after Po Lam Road, was one of the first housing estates built in Tseung Kwan O New Town, reclaimed from the bay off Tseung Kwan O Village and Yau Yue Wan. Residents started moving in in 1988. The Po Lam Sitting-out Area is located opposite the northern entrance of Po Lam Estate, sandwiched between the Po Lam Ambulance Depot and the gas station. It opened in 1993 to provide an area of open space for the surrounding residents. It is a pet-friendly park with an open and flat area, consisting of one circular walkway and benches alongside, all are unrestricted for pets. In addition, some dog owners have taken the initiative to place detergents, hooks and water bowls at the entrance of the sitting-out area to help out other dog owners.