New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-05
WHERE THEY CAN PLAY.
Hoe Brooklyn Society Looks
after Happiness of Tots.

Among the numerous philanthropic enterprises OF
the summer season there is none more important
than the work which is being carried on by the
Proorlvn Society for Parks and Fairgrounds
Many Of the children of the Brooklyn tenernenls
owe their only pleasures during the hot season 10
this society and not only does it give them
chance by means of Fairgrounds and excursions
to escape from the sitting air Of the tenements out
# provides for instruction and moral training OF a
most valuable kind.
who guide them into the channels that are most
useful for physical and mental development, and
who without any suggestion Of restraint. incucate
lessons of courtesy and consideration for others
very different from what is seen in the games OF
the streets.
The society has three Fairgrounds in operation in
the borough of Brooklyn this season One is at
FIushing-ave, near Nostrand; another at Columbia
and Battel sts and third under the bridge arches
al Fulton and York SITS. They are open from 3
until z o'clock in the. morning and from until
r o'clock in the afternoon. In the morning ootH
bo,s and girls attend. but the boys are restricted
to two afternoons a week and the girls to four
The equipment Of the Fairgrounds has been care
fully selected with a view to giving as much pleas
,Ire and profit as possible to children of all ages
There are swings and seesaws in abundance a
sand pile with plenty Of pals and shovels for the
little tots who have never known the joys OF real
beach and hammocks in which the BABIES can
sleep thus relieving the older ones of their care
The older boys and girls have baseball and basket
ball and physical instructor organizes the play
and coaches the boys for athletic contests
kindergarten occupations are also provided Tor
the little folks and the girls, when they do not
wish 10 play, bring their sewing and crocheting
They hem towels make aprons and even MAKE
little Bingham dresses for their younger sisters,
the materials being obtained from the teachers LOT
nominal price. The mothers also bEng their
work, and as thy they may listen, II tney
wish. 10 readings domestic subjects. once a
week, too. trained nurse visits the Fairgrounds
10 examine the children and instruct the mothers
IN their care.
the Board of Education. and a greatly increased
interest being taken in them this year. more
older children attend and hundred young men
have petitioned the superintendent OF VacAI ion
permission TO use the gymnastc apparatus at
Hinsdale-st and Lberty-ave. In the evenings IN
the daytime no boys over sixteen are admitted 10
the Fairgrounds a II Is thought that boys Of that
age ought be at work in sumner but the petit
ton question suggests additional field OF use
filness for them in keeping young men of the
streets anG Of the saloons at night. Miss
Whitney still has the petition under Amusement,
but Il is probable that il viii be granted, and thdt
next summer the apparatus in all the Fairgrounds
may be thrown open TO young men at night
The borough Of Brooklyn is badly in need of more
Fairgrounds and the Playground Society would like
to establish others but at present il has all it
do 70 maintain the three now IN operation. It's
tons the salaries OF trained directors the
erection Of shelters and the purchase equipment
ell necessltate a large expenditure. The society
therefore appeals 10 the public for support in an
undertaking without which thousands Of children
would be smut off from the possibility growing up
into able-bOdied and ciear-mnded citizens Con-
trihutiOns may be sent 10 the secretary, Charles
Edgar No. l9 Monroe Place. Brooklyn