Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-01
At the Old "Pipe Yard"

tee by Mr.. Allison NailOr 1r., and this VIII
shortly be fitted up with the necessary ap-
paratuS.
At the Old "Pipe Yard"
If those persons who have contributed
money to the project require any evidence
that they have been generous in good
cause, a visit to the various places of re-
creation will Immediately satisfy their
minds in the affirmative. Take the play
ground in the old pipe yard, for In
stance The sounds issuing from that In
closure during the day. and especially in
the evening from to s o'clock, cause one
to think that it is "a picnic all the year
round within that limited territory. There
scenes are enacted which. Notwithstanding
the slight artificial atmosp here caused by
the surroundings, recall to the minds OF
those who have spent their youthful days in
the country the early scenes in their own
experience. and they will doubtless feel q
longing to once more throw off the cares
and business worries incident to the active
struggle for maintenance and success and
join with the happy boys and girls in the
fun of the hour. There youthful spirits are
bubbng over, and the children are at play
with a keen appreciation of their opportunf-
ties and with a freedom and abandonment
that cannot but work with broadening eff
feet upon their lives and characters. There
touches of nature in this playground
which make the whole world kin.
0SeuSS Oll lie
Here in one part of the lot Is a group of
six youths, exercising their lungs as we'll
their arms and legs, in the enjoyment of
the giant stride Sitting upon knots about
the size Of a mans fist. and clingng des-
perately to ropes. the six boys are swinging
around large pole, with their feet sus-
pended in the air. Evidently 1t is great
sport. The giant stride consists of a large
pole beam. about twelve feet high. set
securely in the ground. on the top of this
beam is sort of hub. operating on ball
bearings and fastened to the hub are six
heavy ropes with knots tied in the end,
reaching to within about two feet from the
ground. Six boys each grasp a rope and
after short preliminary run they leap
into the air. and around they go in merry
whirl. the ropes swing out from the cen
ter pole.
In another part Of the ground may be
seen a little fellow valianly endeavoring
to travel through the air on the flying rings
which are suspended some distance from
the ground about four or five feet apart.
He may have many a tumble before he
succeeds in travelling the distance in the
air. but there are no serious mishaps. and
the exercise develops both strength and &C.
termina ton. Near by are sceSaws and
swinging ladders and horizontal bars. where
the youthful acrobats initiate the idols Of
the circus ring and play show.
What man in the national capital who
has spent a happy. normal hoyEood in the
country small towns and has not been
buried alive" by his pliymatcs? This
sport is by no means unpleasant as the
title suggests. In fact. with the boys 1t
is a very happy experience. whether one is
the party buried or one Of those who pile
the dirt on the other fellow. In the large
sand Lox erected in tie NJ street pl,v-
ground this sport is one Of particular ct
tractivcncss to the boys and there
many joyous shouts from the neighborhood
OF the box when some youth is wriSSlias