New-York tribune., 1900-06-15
ON THE ROOFS
THEIR TREND IS TOWARD PHYSICAL
TRAINING AND CHARAC-
TER BUILDING.
TER BUILDING.

New-York has for some years been steadily
mounting into the air. and. that buildings are
about tail they be and the town is still
crowded, other things evincng an upward ten
6ency. Among these Fairgrounds. II is the
law that every public school shall have a play
ground, indoors out. the usual location being
the ground floor OF the building. In the down
town sections. especially the East Side, where
parks are fewest and the population densest, a
new idea IS being experimental with. The roofs
OF six downtown schoolhouses have been provided
with brick paved and inclosed Fairgrounds which.
located far above the streets and even the sur
rounding roofs. give the young East siders a
chance for recreation with plenty of light. cool
ness and fresh cir.
The roofs are used very little during the school
session the recesses given 10 none but the
younger children are too brief 10 the long
journey 70 the top Of the building II is vaca-
tion schools which profit by the new Fairgrounds.
great many classes are held the roofs. espe-
cially the kindergarten and manual training
classes Ali recreation is taken there. The boys
play basketball and leapfrog with a zest and an
enthusiasm they never could have felt in the hot
streets and the kindergarten children romp
through their games with unusua! vivacity.
The roofs inclosed with high wall over
which is ceiling of wire netting this TO prevent
the throwing Of missiles into the street.
DIRECTING THEIR PLAY
AL summer they are open the children OF the
district morning and afternoon, and in most cases
them IN the evening There are supervisors always
present. in accordance with the modern idea that
children should never be allowed 10 play undI-
rected. The supervisors are chosen from among
The ablest and most tactfu Of the teachers. 1t is
reaitzec that ehlcren cannot De taught to play by
their, elders, but they be taught to play so
their games.
When the Fairgrounds were first opened the chill
cren were turned loose in them, and for few DAYS
tore about IKE n15tsaccorne @ To reor re.
and fight Ting
Ike saVages- As soon as the first excitement was
over the teachers quietly and unostentatiousIy en-
deavored 10 lead their charges better methods Of
play Courage unselhshness and fairness were cul-
lFateo n mem Win success, the object kept ever
in view being physical training and character build
The University Settlement, in Rivngtor1-st. has
e me roof playground, which is open only 10
most crowded on the East Side Certain evenings
longing 10 the settlement and musical en1ertain
rnents and dances are given at intervals. The
plan Is followed at the Educat tional Alliance
the roof Of which Is equipped more expensiveIy
tnan any IN the city In one corner is large sand
PIE Ior the babies There Is also sterilized milk
s5 sIa{i3! a6 large tank OF ice water Handban
and other CIiet games and rIentv of c,1sire oe se
provided One Of the delights of the kindergartens
walton Of plants for the roof garden. All around
the walls are arranged boxes filed with earth and
and watching them blossom tf1ronghouT the go
- Sun
tor the next winters planting.
TINY VEGETABLE GARDENS.
Flowers are the greatest attraction also Of the
small but beautiful roof playground on the Friend
iy Settlement Building No. 25S East Thirty-fourth-
81 The walls are almost covered with honeysuckIe
and nastUrurns. and there boxes Of geraniurns
and other bright flowers. This roof has a large
awning covering the whole space. There is q sand
PIE, TWO wooden swings and pet chipmunk
livery Gay from thirty 10 fifty children play there
eneer the care Of a trained Kindergarten, while
tner mothers tOiling in the factories or char
ing II distant part Of town.
- = 5artholonew's parish house. in East For
ts-secono~sr-, the children raise only flowers
80 vegetables, on the roof. Five large boxes Of
S-tA ana numerous sets Of garden tools were pre-
.Ll'eeG % them a year ago a. Easter. Every day
80 spent an hour the roof preparing the soil
Ale Il over with their tiny tools, and taking OUT
ne stones Each child was allowed certain
nlaLLe, arc chose himself what of crop he
-s.i-- 70 raise Most OF the boys chose
Sc ne girls generally preferred flowers Ra6ishes
.1ce tomatoes. peas and beans were successfully
SI-salea sElc the flower gardens prolific OF
otLossohls Every BIT OF the work was done by the
s.--.eIs and they were allowed pick their own
cooked ~ S9'NNieS 'iOine 10 DC
r,.5 was the first tine their lives that these
80 .ei-tLeHt mouse babies had vegeta-
beg7.+t1etL n push carts. and il pathetic and
- mark their reverence and establishment
Tba- II cpment and perfection of each plant
80: ,.le ele llerested even in the and bugs
5serec. and enthusiastic in their wei
yisi-e5 80 l+ DFds- butterflies and honey bees that
+,rtve- .i-tir gardens They never dreamed Of in
he's s-s oI them street children might be ex-
rrs- - 40 The kindergarten pet is a subdued
Tssss5 soDlL and ne grew fat the lettuce they
49, 1oF MS especial benefit.