The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-20
SYLVESTER TALKS
ON FAIRGROUNDS
Those Now in Use Are Very
Poor Excuses.
BETTER AND MORE OF THEM
Thinks They Should Be Shady and Re-
moved From Heart of
the City.
BETTER AND MORE OF THEM

Major sylvester today said he thought
The Times was calling attention to a
very important matter when II raised
the question Of Fairgrounds for the
children or Washington. Although he
believes the grounds now used by the
children are far better than none. he
does not think they are what they
should be for city the size of Wash
lnSton and having as many children 10
provide with amusement and diversion.
Speaking of the matter this morning.
Major Sylvester said:
For years / have been endeavoring to
procure adequate recreation grounds for
the youngsters In Washington and we
nave a Citizens Playground Commit
tee, but the lines on which the commit
zee = operating are not the best and l
am IN favor of having grounds much
dlIIerent from those used now.
Too Much Complaint.
Il am also In favor Of the citizens of
the District remembering that they
were young once. enjoyed a romp on a
vacant lot once in a while, and would
Ike TO see evidences Of little forbear-
ance on the part of those citizens who
enter complaint against the children,
not only when they are using the streets
to play IN, but when they are on the
grounds set apart for them One of
the shady lots selected as playground
some time ago had to be abandoned be-
cause residents strongly objected to it.
Another in Southwest Washington was
given up because the owner wanted to
use it.
The Fairgrounds now in use are in
the thickIy populated parts Of the city.
nd
There is no public money appropriated
for the maintenance OF these lots and
therefore they have not the things that
90 70 make a childs life happy. There
are no policemen 10 be spared for de-
tail at the grounds, so as To prevent big
boys from picking on the little ones,
and 10 prevent unnecessary bOisterous-
ness or roughness.
SylvesteIS Idea.
This Is my idea Of what Fairgrounds
around Washington should be: There j.
the Coliseum grounds in East Washing
ton. the Smithsonian. grounds, a number
Of large shady lots on the Piney Branch
road. several In The northern part of the
city. near Brightwood. or by the Zoo.
and innumerable places which could be
fixed up so Us to conform with my ideai
Fairgrounds. These should have bicycle
court. dying rings. trapezes. horizontal
and parallel bars. mats To be used for
tumbIlng and doing stunts on, sand
boxes. swings. smooth places for play
ing allies, running tracks and Other
things which young boys and girls like.
Let the boys and girls be separated if il
Is necessary. There should be a toilet
and bathroom inside the grounds. where
the children could wash up and brush
their clothing and hair in order 10 look
proper when they return to their homes.
The grounds should have high fences
around them and two or three addi-
tlonaI privates from the police force
should be permanently detailed to look
after the comfort and safety Of the
little ones.
Blessing to Childhood.
with such Fairgrounds around the
city the mothers and guardians OF chill
dren would not hesitate to let them
leave home for they would then know
that their little ones would be as care
fully looked after and attended TO as if
they were at home. Although / aavo-