The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-11-16
WASHINGTON


THE PLAYGROUND OITY.
One o. the most valuable Of real r.
forms OF late years u that which has
introduced the public Fairgrounds into
the citieA We did not have anything
like tho clamor over this reform that
there has been over many others. but
its results have been undeniable and
astonishing. New York City has scat
tered through its five Boroughs 157
parks large and small. with q total
area Of 1928 acres and an estimated
value Of $375.ooo.00o. In the larger
OF these parks there are places set apart
for all manner OF healthy athletics.
Baseball, football, basketball, tennis.
golf. cricket, croquet. archery. la crosse.
polo, rowing, swimming, running, skat-
ing and driving are all encouraged. 1t
is believed that New York has done
more In this direction than any other
city in the world. It has II specially
equipped Fairgrounds In operation in
Manhattan Borough, four in Brooklyn
and others in the smaller Boroughs.
They are doing a magnificent work in
giving poor children good physical con-
situations and training and in reclaim
ing them from the evil influences Of the
| street.
The first Of these Fairgrounds was
opened about eight years ago in Will
liam H. Seward Park, at Canal and JEFF
ferson streets, by the Outdoor Recrea-
ton League. The good results imme-
diately attained led to the institution of
similar Fairgrounds in convenient parts
Of the city. special attention being paid
to those in the congested tenement dis
tricts. It is believed that the Tompkins
Square Park is the best Of its kind in
the world. Under the shade Of trees
there is an outdoor gymnasium with all
the appurtenances Of such an institu-
ton. In each Of these playground parks
! there have been organized baseball
teams, basketball teams, tennis teams
and track teams. among which there is
a keen. healthy competition. The boys
organize clubs of their own and take an
immense pride in them. They buy their
own uniforms and take the best Of care
Of the park property. because they are
instructed that it is their own and must
be cared for.
On the lower East Side the park is in
the center of the worst of the tene-
| ment-houSe districts, and the boys there
were being brought up under all the
evil influences Of the street. Their ideas
Of fun were derived from trashy pub
locations, and led mainly to small thiev-
|
different gangs. They were petty rob-
beers, not because of a criminal instinct,
but because the literature they read
made such operations smart" At the
first OPENING Of the parks these gangs
were simply uncomfortable. They had
no idea of freedom except permission
| TO smash things as they pleased, and
rules and regulations received no re-
spect unless there was a club behind
them. By tact and kindness they were
soon led to better things. and the forma-
ton of teams instead of gangs walked
| Up all their pride. They had to prac-
| tice, subject themselves to discipline in
order to win games from the teams in
other parks, and this brought them 10
| q realizing sense of the value Of order.
law and subordination. The same class
| of boys that a little while ago spent
their time in brawling, fighting and rob-
bling push carts now go into the parks
and work like slaves to put and keep
their grounds in order and ut them
selves for q contest with some other
team. Many of the toughest boys are
how engaged in learning trades, study
| ing professions and otherwise fitting
themselves to be good citizens.
| The girls have received equal atten-
ton. Their Fairgrounds are separated
from those of the boys, and they have
games and sports suited to them.
In some Of the older parks the de-
velopment has proceeded so far that q
park is put under the entire control of
the boys, who with the advice and SUI
pervision Of the Athletic Superintend-
ent, hold conventions and establish q
regular city government, with depart
ments OF STRENGTHENING, police, ath-
letics, etc. They frame their own ordi-
nances and enforce them precisely as
a city government does. The Mayor Of
one park, elected at q general election.
Aug. Is. is a bright lad Of II. who took
the regular official oath, in which he
promised good government and every
effort to make the park model play
ground. and has so far splendidly kept
his word.
THE STEPHENSON MEMORIAL.
Gen. Louis Wagner. the Treasurer of
the Committee to erect q memorial at
i In .fo 70 Dor in, u