Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-02-07
FOR PUBLIC SPORT.
What Cities Are Spending on Recre-
afinn E1iar... r...a IE-..-.-....-.-.a.

W Aiat OAIes Are Spending on Recre~
alton Piers and Fairgrounds.
one OF the most interesting phases
OF better civic life is indicated by
the increased attention given by many
American communities to providing
opportunities for free recreation as an
essential part of the public expendi-
lures and, hence, as an essential part
of the public life. The progress made
In this direction in the last few wears
has been remarkable, saws American
Homes and Gardens 1t is a move
ment that has had development in a
number Of directions, most Of which
have been without any related
thought, and yet the sum total, as rep
resented by public appropriations and
by opportunities afforded, has reached
handsome proportions and represents
a vast amount Of opportunities for
good which may be freely availed Of
by every one at no individual cost
Some figures representing the an
nual expenditures of the city of New
York for recreation purposes will
show how far this movement has
progressed in the metropolis and ex-
plain how varied are the interests con-
cerned: For music in the parks, $780,
924; music on recreation piers, So
FOG; maintenance of recreation piers.
S74, 574; Central Park menageries. $50
800; Bronx geological garden, S134, 9O5;
aquarium, 81, 800; Brooklyn museum
$4,000; Metropolitan Museum of Art
and American Museum Of Natural
History, $310,O00; Harlem speedway.
$4,000; Fairgrounds, baths, ETC., in
parks, $61,OO0; other bathing and
swimming facilities, $165, $40 These
figures do not include expenditures
for parks, recreation expenditures by
the board of education and other items
which might properly be included IN
der this general head, but they Illus
trate sufficiently the very large ap-
preparations New York makes toward
this end, as well as the varied inter-
ests represented in this expenditure.
As a matter of fact the recreation
facilities afforded the people in New
York are much more extensive, since
private enterprise has not Jagged be-
hind public leadership, and in a num-
Der Of cases the public appropriation
has supervised and expended moneys
previously provided by private means.
The exhibit is an interesting one in
itself and also is an indication of a
very pronounced modern tendency. It
means a positive recognition Of the
value of sport and play in civic life.
1t means that play as well as work
is recognized, and handsomely recog-
nized, as having distinct civic worth.
1t means that not only the children but
the grown folks as well must have
opportunities for healthful recreation
in our crowded cities, recreation that
they cannot supply themselves with
alone, but for which public oppor-
tunities must be provided.
1t is a movement of the utmost sig
nifcance, because it indicates q new
departure in public life, a new con-
ception Of the relationship that should
exist between the municipality and
the people who live in it. 1t would be
too much to commend all the dis
bursements of New York under this
head as wise and good, but the un-
DERIVING idea is Of the very best. It
is noble work that, within certain
somewhat narrow limits, is well done.
The future, in this direction, is very
bright.