Evening star., 1901-09-12
Mr.. RIORDAN'S PLAN
Prospectus of the Proposed Municipal
Playground
site SELECTED In THE SOUTHWEST
A Club House Suggested in Con-
nection With 1t.
d EFT AILS EX P L AIN E D

L L ~ u
"A public playground, to be operated in
conjunction with the Washington Schools y
is the way Mr.. Ray r. Riordan announces
In prospectus form a most comprehensive
and attractive plan for romping ground
and club house for school children of the
southwestern section of the city.
In the proposition Mr.. Riordan has en-
bodied the attractive features which made
his summer or vacation school such a sue
cess and revelation alike TO pupils, teach
ers and school and District officials
He viii submit the plan to the Commits
sioners, and it is understood Commissioner
Macfarland has already been made ac
quainted with the proposition and has cX-
pressed his approval of the idea. 1t will
require an appropriation of some thing over
$1,000 to furnish the playground, with
club house, ball ground and apparatus for
athletic sport and development, and this
Mr.. Riordan confidently expects to get at
the hands of the next Congress. Similar
enterprises can then be secured for other
sections of the city.
The site of the proposed playground is
half of the square located between NJ and
n streets and 9th and 7th streets south
west. This property at present is leased
by the District government and used for
the storage of bricks, curbing, etc. 1t is
800 feet on Ith street. 300 feet on NJ street,
300 feet. on 9TH street. 30 feet \ street
side. and around the outside of the fence is
a parking about twelve feet wide
In the prospectus Mr.. Riordan has il
lustrated the way the lot will be utilized.
The plan is not modelled after any similar
institution, but with the object only of
meeting the needs of the people of that
particular section of the city. The ball
field will occupy considerable of the center
of the proposed site to allow of it's use
by many. 1t is believed that this will at
once place the playground in high favor
with the boys and men of the locality and
leave many corners vacant which are now
occupied by these same men and boys,
whose tongues, for want of better topics,
Wag with idle gossip and debaSng tales.
Mr. RiOrdan proposes the foundation of
several leagues among churches. working
men, working boys and school boys to play
for pennants during the season.
Further Use of Playground.
Legaues for the systematic play of GRO
quet, tennis, bowling, shuttle board and
other games would be organized from the
same sources-workingmen and wives or
working women, boys and girls employed in
stores or otherwise, school pupils-all
schools-church and public. The players
In any one league a general thing would
not be placed in other leagues, but twice
or oftener a week open periods will be ar
ranged whereby all will have ample oppor-
is arranged by plan. nearly all leagues
could be working at the same time without
interference.
General class work on the apparatus
will be arranged for males and females
The occupation of the lawns swings, see
saws, sand court, one quot court, one cro-
quet court will be optional at all times
to young and old.
BY previous arrangement the mechanics
whom the weather prevents working will
give off-hand instructions to whomever
may be around and aid in the repair of
such appliances as may require skilled
labor.
The general care and cleanliness of this
institution will be in the hands of q con-
stantly changing cleaning department In
cldentaily police department will likewise
be organized, mainly for the preservatio
of property and gradual elimination of
swearing, the main ''swearers'' being kept
longest on the force. Minor disturbances
such as are bound to arise, will not be
checked forcibly by the Officers" but re-
ported at once to the principal A fire de-
partment along similar lines, drilling each
day with real hose, &c, will be in opera
tiOn.
government band in attendapce-if one
can be procured-would be a strong feature
toward permanent organization.
In summer the grounds would he oman
from = o clock am until 1890 pm In win
ter from in the morning until 10 at pisht
The Man for the Place.
THE success of the playground saws
Mr Riordan. depends entirely on the ona
placed in charge That person should he a
man familiar with children should he
known by the majority of the youngsters
and their parents, should be resident of
the community and have the respect of all
whC know him, as well as those who en-
ploy him. His knowledge must be prac-
teal jack Of all trades but distinctly
iS he
This man must be strong physically. Ha
Should be the leader in all athletic games
and be master of such games. Such a man.
while not easily found or develoned is the
man In view when this playground was
planned-Mr. Maurice Metz Mr.. Metz has
youth health. brains and muscle in plenty
ard, above all, when working for the In
teTest Of others, seems TO constantly keen
Cyrus =. Huntngton's motto in mind
Never look at the clock
NO other employe would be necessary
as the care OF the grounds would be en-
tirely in the hands of the users The prip-
cipal would be responsible to whatever
school authority the school board would
as Wei. OF course, as to the Commissioners
salary OF 500 Is named In the estimates
Tor thls position. This salary IL the in
stitution fuifiils it's mission should he
yearly increased 800 until 81 200 is reached. /"
The Club House Plan
In advocacy OF the club house plan Mr.
Riordan says:
1T is thought more nearly perfect in
stitution can be effected by the purchase
o. club house. to be used as a winter
adjunct principally to the playground
Property 1921 Az street southwest, between
y and o streets, Union court and 4Ia street
which could be purchased at a low figure
would make ideal club house The
building Is of brick. three stories and base
ment well preserved throughout. 1t covers
an area of % feet square. There are nine
rooms, large, airy. we'll lighted and acces-
sibly located. The Railways are broad cool
and admirably suited for open-house pur-
poses. The necessary improvements will
include lighting and plumbing. The heating
apparatus Is in good condition, latrobe sys-
tem range in kitchen.
I'm the rear the property has lot in
cluded in the purchase price. l25 feet by
Is feet. Adjoining this entire property is
strip of land 16 feet by $50 feet, which
has been used by the present occupants
without charge for the last fourteen years
This property is owned by Mr.. j. B. Ken
dali Such a yard these two properties
would make would be just the place for
scrawling' tots and the timid youngsters
for whom the excitement and noise OF the
larger grounds would be too great.
THE gymnasium would be fitted with