The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-14
PUBLIC PL AYGROUNDS
FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
Apparatus for Athletic Exercise Put There Through
Philanthropic Efforts.

The committee on public Fairgrounds.
recently organized, held its first meet
ing on Thursday at p. m. at S11 G
Street northwest. There were present
Commissioner John Biddle, Major Rich
ard Sylvester, Cuno H. Rudolph, Mrs.
Ellen Spencer Mussey, Clara Jessup Van
Trump Mrs Charles F. Weller, and
Charles T. Weller. The committee or
ganized by electing Mr.. Rudolph chair
man; John B. Sleman, jr., treasurer,
and Miss Van Trump, secretary. Mr..
Rudolph, who sent out the call for the
meeting, stated its purpose as being
10 undertake the management of the
two or three Fairgrounds which are now
assured, with view of making them so
successful this summer that permanent
Fairgrounds can be established next year
with assistance from public funds.
The committee reviewed the condition
of three public Fairgrounds The first
is a small playground in the rear of
'.Neighborhood House" at 456 n Street
southwest, which was reported to have
been successfully active for the past
year. This playground is fairly well
equipped with apparatus. and il turned
over to the general fund s25, which has
been placed in the hands of the treasurer
for the further equipment of this yard.
1t is now used mainly by girls and small
children. leaving the boys and young
men to use the new ground at Sixth and
NJ Streets southwest
Vacated by Commissioners.
5econd playground. occupying
large area, and extending from Sixth TO
Seventh Streets, from NJ Street, in
southwest Washington. has recently
been made available through the kind
ness of the District Commissioners, by
whom this large square has formerly
been rented for the storage of stone
and other building materials. 1t was
reported that the ground had been large
ly cleared of these materials by Major
R. D. Simms. District Superintendent of
Property, and room has been afforded
for the laying out of q baseball diamond
and the erection of playground appa-
ratus. A special fund has been con-
tributed for the purpose of clearing this
ground. and erecting the apparatus need
5000, Mrs Natalie S. B. Forsythe, IS;
Commissioner H. B. F. Macfarland IS:
Miss A. c. Koerper, 81; John W. Doug
lass, IS; Cuno H. Rudolph, 81; Lyman
L. Pierce, IS; DR.. William c. Wood
ward, So; C. F. Nesbit, So; John B. Sle-
man. ir., So. This makes a total col
lection of s243, of which $3.50 has al
ready been expended for clearing the
ground.
The committee decided TO accept the
bid of George s. Rossen, gymnasium
carpenter, who agreed to erect the fol-
lowing apparatus for $500: Four swings,
one teeter-l ladder. one horizontal bar,
two saws, six travelling rings, one
inclined ladder, one set of sliding poles,
one giant stride, and one sand box. IN
addition to this apparatus, the commit
tee decided TO put UP punching bag
with overhanging drum, which will prob
ably add SO to the initial expenditures
for apparatus. Mel B. Rideout. ath-
Ietic director of the Y. NJ. c.. A, has
undertaken to lay out the baseball dia-
rnond, upon request of the committee.
Ten Model Gardens.
Ten model gardens have been made in
one corner of this large playground by
ten children of the neighborhood who
are doing their garden work under the
direction of Miss Hedges and Mr.. Swim
gle, of the Agricultural Department.
which Is cooperating with the National
Plant, Flower and Fruit Guild for the
development of children's gardens in
different portions Of the city The play
ground committee authorized the erec-
ton of fence around these model gar
dens. 1t was reported TO the committee
that similar gardens of this character.
cultivated by boys and girls. are con-
nected with the public Fairgrounds of
Boston and other cities They are found
to be an effective means of interesting
the children in outdoor activities and in
a wholesome, educational employment OF
their leisure hours.
A third playground. to be used espec-
tally for negro children. was reported as
assured FOR the summer on M Street
southwest between First Street and
Delaware Avenue. The temporary use
of this ground has been given by S. Ben
singer, It's owner. and by the tenant
who occupies a portion of the square.
The boys and young men living in the
neighborhood have already accomplished
great deal OF work under the direc-
ton of Prof. A. q. Craig, OF the Arm
strong Manual Training School, in clear
ing this large lot of the ole iron and
other waste materials with which 1t was
covered.
Apparatus Needed.
Mr.. Rudolph reported that the ground
was now In shape TO permit of the erec-
tion of some simple apparatus. and he
read a statement from Prof Craig Civ
ing the amount of lumber needed Cor
swings. see-saws. and the few other
simple devices desired The chairman OF