New-York tribune., 1901-05-22
PUBLIC FAIRGROUNDS.
MANY THOUSAND CITY BOUND chill
DREN TO PROFIT BY BOARD OF
EDUCATION PLANS-WORK IN
VACATION SCHOOLS

Fffty-fve places will he employed as Fairgrounds
ry the Board Of Education this summer. Forty of
these will he in public schools opened for the pur
pose. and the remaining fifteen in parks and vacant
lots and on roofs and recreation piers. Among the
grounds used for the first time this open air
gymnasiums and Fairgrounds Will be The open lot
between Sixtv-sixth and SiXty-seventh SITS. which
is The property Of the Board OF Education, and
Hamilton Fish Park and Hudson Park. The three
spots in Central Park employed last year. and
Crotona Park. Claremont Park and Rupperts lot
One-hundred- d-and-second-st and Madison-ave.. will
all be used this year Each will be equipped with
eyrnastic apparatus and games and amusements
for the younger children. ali under the supervision
Of instructors and Undergraduates. In addition
there viii De forty-five kindergartens open half
day. three in each of the fifteen vacation schools.
The work these. well in the Fairgrounds
will recreatiVe character and practically the
in former years Summer kindergarteus
viii also be maintained in the Kings Daughters
Settlement, Nos. IS and - Henry-st.; in the open
lot at One-hundred-and-second and One-hundred-
and-third SITS, between Second and Third aves
owned ny the Union Settlement; in the outdoor
gymnasium. in Ninety-ninth-st.. between Columbus
and Amsterdam aves-. the property of the Boom
ingdale Outdoor Recreation League and formerly
run by the FEDERATION of Churches; the roofs of
the Educational Alliance, at East Broadway and
Jefferson-ave., and of the Friendly Aid House. in
East Thirty-fourth-st., near Second-ave.; at the
Home Garden, One-hundred and-seventeenth-st.
and Pleasant-ave. and Seward Park. Twelve
evening play centres in public school buildings,
with gymnastic classes and literary circles, and
equipped with libraries and quiet games. will add
10 the recreative resources Of city bound youthful
New Workers.
Arbitrary limitations by grades are unknown to
vacation schools and children between three and
zen years Of age are admitted 10 the summer kin
dergartens.
REGARDING Fairgrounds Dr. Jennie b. Merrill
supervisor Of kindergartens, said: Let any one
who doubts the need OF this work spend an hour
among the children in one Of these places. Every
playground is a refuge from the contaminaung IN
fuences Of overcrowded streets, and affords oppor-
tunities for physical, mental and moral develop
.nent As 10 the plan of work fer the Fairgrounds
there is no attempt made 10 conduct hndergartens
On the contrary il is designed that the children
have free play under careful supervision and dlrec
ton To insure the latter II has peeh IouIu e,
sary that the kindergartners have some definite
plan IN mind for each day programmes nave peeh
a. n ,,I,aaei,,e boweyer and leave ample
roo eo to Sreedorn and originality of the teacher
Three distinct programmes have been prepareo tor
the three classes Of play pacesxthe paygroun1ds;
the piers and the parks-each Of which Is suited
20 the conditions Of the locality Tor "hch II mas
There is a grain Of truth in the criticism that
the modern child receives 100 mecn s t SUBJ @ o E er
his amusements. The question or iree pay iiI II A.
important and it is not expected that me RlnGsL %
.artnsTs OF The s ncessary to encourage
good plays and discourage rude ones During sev-
entirely 10 tbemseIves one of aims of the work
is 10 teach them. by general games TO oeiii hnS
All the indoor Fairgrounds are furnished with
pianos and marching with and without hags VIII
be part of the physical training given there
The WORK Of the vacation schools VIII De HucH
the same this year in former seasons Last EedI
IN order 10 discover which were best adapted 10 t
purpose several industrial features were olSt
through the various schools, one oelng given 10
each. Nearly all proved 10 be valuable, ailo an;
with exceptions. viii be employta asdLi II
this year Cardboard work for boys ana the max
ing Of stuffed dolls and animals in coth ny elrls
have been left out dressing OF dolls oelhe SUI
sttuted for the latter Two industrial occupations
viii furnished each school this year me IN
dustrial boys will comprise cane i,
designing Venetian iron work. shop Work~ Win
toinery and cabinetmaking, fret saving emp caiIE
ing and whittling girls. rama weaving, orSSs
making doll dressing sewing paper flower making
millinery embroidery. knitting and crochstiig, s
cooking and domestic economy ana nursing oeNrl'
kitchens in as many schools will be USED LOT cooA
Ing classes IN, - a.
heretofore downtown but several will be opened IN
upper parts of the city.