The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-03-26
PLAY GROUND WORK
Will Be EXTENDED
BY WOMAN's CLUB
COMMITTEES or PITTseuRc
PROBABLY WILL UNITE no
SECURE MORE SUPPORT.
CHILDREN ARE KEPT OFF OF
STREETS AND TAUGHT BY
PAID INSTRUCTORS.

tend the work in Greater Pittsbure
during the coming summer Will,
Allegheny and Pittsburg now have sep
arate organizations, it Is expected that
the amalgamation Of the two cities
will have the effect of uniting the eff
forts OF all women interested in the
work.
Last year there were nine summer
Fairgrounds on the Northside and q,
122 children were enrolled in that dis
trict alone. Between 5000 and 1900
children attended the daily sessions
land arrangements are being made for
the accommodation Of many more this
summer. he statf of 4e teachers on
the Northside last year WILDE increas-
ed to provide for the large attendance
that is certain. Last year Allegheny's
councils appropriated $4,000 for the
playground work and similar appro
priation is expected this year for the
work on the Northside. The Northside
committee also expects to raise sim
liar amount by public subscriptions.
Nine Fairgrounds were maintained
in Pittsburg last season and seven
"recreat!on" parks we're provided by
the city, the majority OF them being
connected with school property. About
:.,oo0 children were enrolled with an
average daily attendance of 5000. "A
corps Of 1875 teachers supervised the
work last summer, and more win be
needed this season. The city has ap.
propriated $4,000 to carry on the
work.
In addition to the big Fairgrounds
already established next to the South
side High School building, on South
Carson street. another will be opened
ON Twenty-second street. The ARISEN.
al grounds, recently donated to Pitts.
burg by the Federal government, are
expected to be used for summer play.
ground work. Washington park, last
year so popular as place for base.
ball playing. will again provide good
diamond" this year.
Benefits Of Work..
Summer Fairgrounds are having a
Tremendous influence on American
CHILD life as found In our cities in
many ways. ut Is better TO support
the summer Fairgrounds than the PEN
itentiaries," said Jacob Riis to one OF
Greater Pittsburg's clubwomen short
time ago, and this significant state.
ment displays one of the great possibii-
tiles Of this modern idea of keeping
the. restless city children of the
streets during the vacation season. Mu.
nicipal authorities state that the play
ground idea is one that is saving them
a lot OF summer annoyance.
The summer Fairgrounds in Greater
Pittsburg provide instruction and
amusement TO young boys and girls
ranging in age from weeks to Is or
16 years. One of the NorthsIde
grounds last summer had as many as
30 infants in "long clothes" to take
care OF on single morning, left there
by buoy mothers who were compelled
TO work in different parts of the city.
In many instances the babies were
cared for by older brothers and sis
tiers. while others spent the time sleep.
ing In great ciothesbaskets until their
mothers returned.
1t will surprise many people TO learn
that the boys in Greater Pittsburg like
to sew. In one of the summer schools
last year the boys actually made their
own shirts. A little story Is related
OF boy who was told that he might
make himself shirt. :. He replied:
LET me make dress for my little
sister. she needs 1t worse than I do
shirt"
The possibilities OF sewing instruc.
ton In the playground work are un-
limited. The little girls learn all the
details Of the art according to the lat
est methods OF instruction under pro-
fessional and paid teachers. and they
become SO skillful that they make
their own shirtwaists and dresses.
Much attention is given TO basketry.
This work Is all done by hand and has
for It's primary object the training and
Strengthening the eyes and fingers.
Many Of the Indian baskets turned
out by these vacation students are
handsome and would sell for consid.
cradle sums of money IL displayed In
the retail stores. Art and nature
work in the way of crayon coloring
and drawing is popular with the chill.
iren. The work teaches the children
the beauties of the great green world
outside and gives them visions of OPP
rortunlty Of seeing within the con.
fines Of the city streets and squares.
There are several fresh air homes
near Pittsburg to which these chill.
dren of the streets and alleys are
sometimes sent during the vacation