Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-17
FOR THE CHILDREN
SUBJECT OF FAIRGROUNDS
SHOULD BE TAKEN UP.
Major Sylvester Thinks That the Ne
cessity is Not Fully Appreciated
or Understood.


ject of Fairgrounds for the children and the
youth of the capital, and that this very i'm
portant question may be given some Off
cal recognition" remarked a member of
the Washington Humane Society to a Star
man this morning.
I'VE have parks, squares. reservations,
circles ard triangles in plenty, but they are
kept in such state of ornamental land
scape gardening that they cannot be util-
lied as Fairgrounds. We have no regularly
assigned Fairgrounds for the young and old,
for that matter, except a few acres in the
Smithsonian grounds north of the Washing
ton monument, where base ball is permitted.
and a small square in the southeast near
the navy yard, and over the railroad tun-
mel, the latter having simply graveled sur
face, with no appliances for exercise.
Perhaps the reason is that there has not
been proper agitation here as in other cities
on this question, mainly, no doubt, because
Washington may be said not to be a
crowded city in comparison with other
large centers of population, where the
street are narrow and the houses abut
Immediately upon the sidewalk.
We have so much park space that por-
ton of it should be surrendered to the chill
dren. For instance, there are 2,0OO acres in
Rock Creek Park alone, leaving out the
area of additional parkage, and so small
portion of this large reservation as ten or
twenty acres could we'll be thrown open to
the exclusive use of outdoor sports to those
who wish to indulge therein, whether young
or old, but especially for the young.
Maj. Sylvester's Views.
Il do not think that this imperative ur-
ban necessity is fully appreciated, nor do
believe that our people understand that
Major Sylvester has officially urged the set
ting apart of children's Fairgrounds. Our
youngsters cannot play ball in the street
under penalty of arrest, nor indulge in
healthful romping except at the risk of be
ing killed or manned by passing vehicles
If we are to persist in maintaining the
signs of Keep off the grass In our parks
We surely ought to provide sufficient and
certain places where our children and their
guardians and protectors can play on the
grass as much and as often they please.
In Paris the people and the children
roam at will in the Bots de Boulogne
through the trees and upon the grass, and
the same is true of some of LondOns large
parks, if not all of them. Prospect Park in
Brooklyn is long famous for the freedom
with which the residents of the city of
churches utilize its natural beauties
In conversing recently with Major SyI-
VeSter regarding the establishing of PLAY
grounds for children in Washington that
official said:
Perhaps some action may be taken if
the matter is fully laid before the public in
Inc star have long been firm advocate
or the proposition. and | think that it is a
matter which should not longer be neglect
ed There are many and ample spaces
which might be appropriated to this admir-
able purpose. These grounds should be kent
under proper protection in other cities
and children and their parents would b,
sure that rOwdyism would not be permitted
In Central Park in New York for example
there are public tennis grounds. croquet
grounds. ball grounds. etc. all under park
police protection, and all well patronized by
appreciative and orderly crowds
Cogent Reasons for the Fairgrounds.
The many laws and regulations which
AFFECT the occupancy of the streets and res
ervations. the playing of ball the flying of
Kites and assemblages effectually dampen
the pastime of the city children and tend
TO nstill defiance in the more advanced
youth Boys driven from pillar to post in
seeking spots for recreation only find quiet
In the pool and card rooms, working a de-
eeneracy which is to be deplored
This department receives more com
pants regarding the small boys than all
others put together. The citizen whose
quiet is disturbed or whose window name Is
broken calls for the police. The parent
CONDEMNS the officer and the complainant
ahke. The member of the force is directed
10 invoke parental aid in the first instance
and arrest in the second. 1t is not desir-
able that children should be arrested how
ever Tor minor offenses, as the fright and
humiliation incident thereto ONLY tend 70
harden. If not permanently mark the ca
reer OF the young and perhaps unintentionaI
N1olator. A boys hours for nightly recre-
alton should be limited and his sCone for
daShght enjoyment enlarged
There should be established public
Fairgrounds where the children and per
sons unemployed during the daytime NAV
md few hours recreation during the
warm weather. The Fairgrounds should he
or such dimensions as to admit of the en-
Joyment OF the pastimes incident to the life
Oh a boy All to be under proper police con-
,rol; Fresh-air agencies contribute to
heaIth and manhood, and while there are
numerous sources of outings away from
the city, the young who must stay at home
during the tOrrid days have little oppor-
tunity for profitable employment and re-
New York has forty-two school play
grounds open during the summer, twenty
eight having library attachments Besides
these there roof gardens outdoor gym
nasiums, public baths recreation piers and
other numerous playground features In
brooklyn hve Fairgrounds maintained
on vacant lots, where swings sand courts
see-saws and kindred sources of juvenile
amusement are offered. while Prospect Park
Is so unrestricted as to public use. that it's
broad. grassy commons are open to all and
constitute practical Fairgrounds for the en-
tire people.
Movement Should Not Be DELAYED.
Baltimore allows the use of eight PLAY
grounds Of the public schools and four in
the public parks Boston has numerous play
grounds and public baths, recently largely
ouNCu TO- lineage mas Tree publlc bathing
beaches etc, and many other cities offer
similar privileges TO their citizens
Il think. continued the gentleman that
the recommendation of our chief of police
should be acted upon at the earliest oppor-
tunity. In fact. so limited is the space
allowed in this city for base ball and SINH
lar hea!thful outdoor recreations on the
part OF our youth that the War Depart
ment has very kindly allowed our local
amateur base ball clubs to play upon the
parade ground at the arsenal.
This privilege has been sincerely appre-
ciated by all concerned and this summer
the rivalry between the different clubs Of
the four sections Of the city has been des-
perately but good naturedly fought out
Inc friends and admirers of the respective
contestants have turned out in force, and
where a representative club Of. say, the
southwest engaged Georgetown or north
west club. the residents of the respective
sections have jOurneyed down to the arsenal
grounds by the thousands and rooted good
for their favorites
let l venture to say that many of our
residents are unaware of these amateur CON
tests held at the arsenal grounds and
which should be encouraged. But for the
privilege extended in using this military