New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-19
4 WEST SIDE PLAYGROUND.
AUXILIARY OF THE FEDERATION OF
CHURCHES ALREADY PLANNING FOR
NEXT SUMMERS WORK

John r. Peters and Mrs. Clarence Burns are al
ready formulating plans for the continuance next
summer of the outdoor playground conducted from
last June until the close Of October under the au-
spices Of Auxiliary OF the Federation of Churches
in the XXIst Assembly District. Mr.. Peters is the
president.
The playground, situated on the south side or
Ninety nlnth-st., near Coumbus-ave.. was in ono
Of the most densely populated and poorest portions
Of the West Side. 1t was furnished In the usual
manner. with gymnastlc. apparatus. basketball
equipment swings seesaws. sand piles, and toys
for the smaller children. in August the Board OF
Education furnished a pavilion tent II also pro-
vided a gymnastic instructor and kindergartner
The playground was open every day from unui
6 o'clock ard In charge Of two guardians
over twenty-five hundred separate children played
there during the summer. and the daily average
attendance was $50. Some OF these children had
never seen the country in their lives. Not few
of them lived in cellars In Columbus-ave and ed-
jacent streets. Excursions were arranged In con-
nection with the playground 10 take such children
as were sick and weakly TO the SEASIDE or the
country during the excessive heat.
One Of the most interesting features was inc
work which It did for cripples. one crippled child.
with his head ard body held in place by a sort or
left in charge Of the caretakers. The care and tho
fresh air exercised such an effect on this poor
little fellow that before the summer was over ne
was actually able TO run about little by himset.
Mothers used 10 bring their Gapes ,h Snq bers
they could not go to the Park or the riverside.
and in the same way many little mothers brougnt
their young charges and spent the whole day with
them in safety and happiness . - o, a..
girls library was started which was cared Tor
by a librarian chosen from among the chlldren
The playground was largely policed by gang OF
so-called rowdies who had been the terror OF me
ighborhood They impressed with the
meaning of the playground and the attitude OK
the women In charge, and became their cham-
pions and assistants. The police declared that
miracle had been wrought.
1.-THE total cost Of the work of the Playgrounu
Committee for the four months was about so5V'
said Mrs Burns the chairman, yesterday 70 "a
Tribune reporter ut was hard work 10 raise IBIS
money because people were away during the
summer and there was no to contribute Az
one time there was only 10 cents In the treasury
Then 81 Agnes's Church sent In glft OF soo, anu
a personal friend of member OF the corni,. .S
i'm no way connected with the neighporhood int,oe
a dona ton OF 500 so the playground was saveo.
"There ought TO be no difficulty In raising. on
tne upper West Side money for such purpose as
his The committee ought not 10 De leLt III uu-
cartotntv FROM day day whether IL can con-
tinue its work Before next summer su1lclenss
funds should be in hand to make THIS plays,ounlu
certainty II not to increase END extend inc
"Contrbutions toward the playground may ID, DO
se0t 70 the treasurer Mrs. George r; Po0le, no.
so West End-ave.: to John T. Peters No; 30 w" No
Nnety-ninth-st. and to Mrs. Clarence burus' No'
254 West Eighty-iifth-st