The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-24
MAYOR talks
CHILDREN :|' / ! TODAY
Will BE Present to Greet Little
People at Rcoperil,g of s
Fairgrounds.
WORK DONE BY CIVIC LEAGUE
People Generally Contributing.
Mile Of Pennies Being Collected
by Mothers Clubs.

The movement for public play grounds
seems to have taken hold OF the hearts
of q large number Of people, especially
among those who most see the need OF
such places for the little folk. The
cardboard slips making up the "mile
of pennies" necessary for the work Of
tho Federation Of Mothers Clubs are
being filled rapidly, ana many havo
already been turned IN londed with
coppers. s.s y .g5l y3i
The Civic Improvement League, mem
bers Of which were in o large measure
the pioneers IN the playground move
5n1ent, will begin It's fourth year Of
work. on the grounds at Nineteenth
and Main Streets to-day. IL
The exercises incident to the pre-
pairing OF the playground will be of q
somewhat formal and dignified char
acter. Beginning at $3.50 A. M, Mayor
Mccarthy. a corps OF kindergarten
teachers aI,d members OF & the play
ground committee, with several 1nem-
ibers Of the school board, will be pres
entto greet the crowd OF childronswho
are sure to be on hand for the great
lopening day. X, M n II
Fine Work Done.
For the past three years the league
| has striven to maintain this play
ground through its own efforts, and to
show to the city and its officials the
great ICED Of such institutions in Rich
mond. In the crowded districts there
are hundreds Of children who can find
no other places than the front Of q
disorderly bar-room or other unhealthy
spot for q playing ground after their
school closes, and all saembers Of their
| families old enough to go are in the
4 factories for the daylight hours The
influence Of the Fairgrounds Is in
finite, and its good has been recognized
4 in ell large Cities .5 ri
i The league invites every person II
the city of Richmond to visit the play
4 ground at any time during the sum
mer, to investigate the work and tt
make suggestions. ia:
Young Ladies' Engaged.
4 The committee in charge has en-
i gagged a number of young ladies', wht
Il have been Taught in the training
schools for kindergartners in this cit,
and In other cities.
i Sand piles. Juggling boarda. see saws
hammocks, balls. ropes. punching Is
and many other open-air amusenent
4 VIII De placed IN the &yard,3at the cor
ner Of Nineteenth cpd Main Streets t
make the hours fly by in happy lila;
for the little ones within the j;atcs
! Gymnastic instructions will be give,
J; to the older boys In tho afternoons
twice weekly, 5and:tother plans are ma
, terializing for. the pleasure of tile olde
!; girls NJ 4 4 ~ I, Ii ~ I'D
; Mayor Mccarthy has consented TO b
: present this morning to see Ahese boy
and girls raise the flag anu to tel
them what he thinks the playground
: mean to the community and what the,
should mean to every boy ana sgir
attending. Kessnich's Band will b
at the grounds at the opening exer
cises.
To Open Others.
The Federation Of Mothers Club!
!. through mile OF pennies" will 500
! open the backgrounds in the yards .
n Central, Elba and Marshall Schools
. That Is the first step Richmond ha
. known since the league began Its mi
:, tial Fairgrounds four years ago
Tho children Of Richmond Will 500
/, come to realize what 1t really mean
, In the maintenance Of playground
and Will then lend their interest i
q this undertaking Of the Mothers Club
7. and the Civic League.
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