Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-06
FAIRGROUNDS IN THE PARKS.
Has Not Been Taken of the
Privileges offered.

Col. Bingham, the engineer officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds
favors the establishment of childrens play
grounds in some of the public parks. In
his last annual report he says:
by the act of Congress, approved Au-
gust 80. 1890 the officer in charge of pub
lie grounds was authorized to set aside
portion of the public grounds for chill
drens playground, under regulations to be
prescribed by him. The southern portion
OF the Monument Park was at once set
aside for this purpose, but no regulations
were prescribed as there were no means
of carrying them out, no watchmen or po-
licemen having been authorized, ana tne
service of the one watchman on duty at the
monument being needed there to protect
the structure from acts of vandalism
Just complaints were received that the
lawns were being destroyed, trees injured,
and that the children's playground was
overrun by vicious and improper persons.
This Office has been requested to take ac-
ton to relieve the grounds OF such char
acters, and has been obliged to call on the
District police for assistance.
TO protect the improved grounds as far
as possible, and to prevent serious annoy
ance to those enjoying the beauty of the
park, the playground was transferred IN
the autumn of 1893 to the site between b
street and the main drive north OF the
monument This plot of ground covers an
area of about eight acres. and is occupied
ing foot ball or base ball.
'By the act of Congress approved March
g 1s95, the officer in charge of pubic build
ings ana grounds was directed to authorize
the use of u portion of the grounds within
the ellipse south of the executive mansion
for a children's playground, under regula-
tions to be prescribed by him.
Notice was given through the public
press that children applying would be au-
thorized to play lawn tennis, croquet, crick-
ct ana kindred games. The only require
ments We're that the children should be
recmme nded by reputable citizens and
would agree to exercise the common rules
of courtesy which would govern them in
private park.
But two requests We're received for this
privilege. Both We're promptly granted, but
in neither instance was advantage taken of
the permit.
Several applications from young men to
play foot ball and base ball in the reserva-
tions were received but ii was not believed
that it was intended under the law that
the lawns of the ellipse or other parks
should be used for these purposes.
1T is proposed during the ensuing year
to prepare reservation No. 126. at the in
tersection of Virginia and Georgia avenues
and L street between 9Th and 11th streets
southeast as a playground. Not very much
can be done with the money available but
the District Commissioners have agreed to
curb the space and this office will level ii
off. roll il, put up drinking fountain and
make 1t as available as possible.
These Fairgrounds should he set aside
In various parts of the city for the use of
children, not to be monopoized by grown
persons or half-grown youths, nor to be
used for games prohibited under the police
regulations of the District.
Howard University Park, either highly
improved or in its present condition, could
well be selected for this purpose, and many
of the smaller reservations throughout the
city which have not been highly improved
could be set aside for playing lawn tennis,
croQuet and kindred games