Evening star., 1903-07-27

breathe. and tos the lover of nature
Weakening sae nea ,sousnts sassesaasehesS: ana sf
fording desirable mental exercise in study
ing their warnings character as developed
by the CLEANSING 4eason.
Use Of the Parks.
TN a limited sense also our city parks
have afforded "a substitute for play grounds
for very young children, especially in the
early summer and autumn months when
the little people run over the lawns in every
direction and rest in the shade of the trees,
under the watchfri care of their guardians.
for by the direction OF the officer in charge
no restrictions are permitted to be placed
upon their free movements; but the acces-
SORES OF play grounds, sand heaps. nam
mocks' swings. etc.. which add so much 10
their enjoyment, are necessarily altogether
wanting. ana for boys and girls of more
advanced age the improved public park
can in no way be considered as substitute
for modern play ground.
The Monument Grounds.
"An act Of Congress. approved August 90
1880. authorized the officer in charge Of
public buildings and grounds to use tenn
porarily portions of the Washington monu-
ment grounds. the grounds south of the
Executive Mansion, or other reservations in
the District of Columbia, for chldrens
play grounds. under regulations to be re-
scribed by him. but no appropriation was
made for the preparation of these grounds
Tor shelter, ETC.. or for apparatus to MT
them for general use as play grounds. SUD-
sequently, section Of the monument park
of nearly even grade and about eight acres
In area was set apart for this purpose,
and 1t has been very generally used for
foot ball and base ball grounds by young
men and boys of advanced growth from
that period to the present time. Young
children do not frequent these play grounds
TO any extent, no means having been avail
able to make proper provision for their
comfort and care
"In 1899 an improved reservation in
Southeast Washington Virginia avenue be-
tween 9th and 11th streets) comprising an
area Of about two acres. was graded nearly
level and all rubbish. loose stones. etc. re-
moved therefrom, and goal posts erected
for foot ball games. This reservation has
been very generally used since that period
for ball games. but as in the case of the
Washington monument grounds, by young
men and boys of larger growth.
Experience of Other Cities.
1.-THE public Fairgrounds Of the eastern
and western cities. before referred to. are
of various classes. ranging in area from
1900 square feet to twenty acres.
Those of the smallest classes are usually
reserved for children and are furnished
with box and basket swings. see-saws, sand
boxes and seats for their parents or guar
hedges or fences
'The intermediate classes are for boys
and girls of more advanced age, and are
furnished with climbing ladders. balance
bars pole swings. or giant strides" as
they are called. from the long strides the
boys and girls make as they swing from
the ropes going round them. and q more or
less complete gymnasium outfit
"A hundred children can readily play In
those OF the smallest classes and one thou
sand or more in the intermediate classes
can find enjoyment and abundant healthy
exercise.
Those of the largest extent have thor
oughly equipped gymnasums. tennis courts
and ball grounds, etc. buildings for shell
ter. watchmen's lodges. bathing pools,
which are used for skating ponds in win
ter: QUOT grounds. bicycle tracks and
pedestrian race tracks. etc.
washington Is in many respects the
area. comprising its avenues and streets,
parks. park places and numerous unim-
proved and partly improved public spaces,
together with the magnificent and costly
public buildings are the property of the
nation. Progressive city improvements. and
especially modern park creations, which are
carried forward to successful issue by mu-
nicipal authority and private enterprise in
other prominent American cities, are accom-
plished here mainl through government aid.
1t is apparent therefore, that public play
grounds addition to our present park
system, and which almost universal
sentiment Indicates as a very near if not
an actual present and imperative need, must
be a further provision for Washington by
the general government, and Congress will
have to provide In large measure the means
for their creation maintenance and perma-
nent support.
Many Reservations Available.