The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-10

that Seville Square be used in the
evening for Illustrated lectures OF
health, amusement and travel topics
and that on Saturday nights band con
-certs be given, In this way distinct
want along educaiena1, amasemeni
and recreation lines can be filed in
this crowded section.
There being no. park sites in the
western section of the city 1t is re
commended that the property known
as butcher pen pond be secured and
a portion of it put In condition for use
as a playground.
4. 1t IS the experience of all other
cities that the Fairgrounds do not
meet the needs of older boys. 1t has
been found practically impossible to
care for Older boys ON the same
grounds on which the younger chill
dren are cared for. Hence, it seems
that 1t Is essential to have a place to
use as an athletic field. For the pres
ent one such place is all that is need
ed and the property known as the
Thiesen lot, now used as a practice
ground by the High and Classical
schools boys is recommended. But
with an eye to the future growth OF
this city, 1t is earnestly recommended
that property be bought by the city
in the western, eastern, as well as the
northern sections.
5. For work this winter IT is re-
commended that the arnfory be Sc
cured and a class in athletic dancing
for all Of the girls of the city over 9
years OF age be conducted on two
evenings a week after school. For one
hour in the late spring this work
should be transferred to the open air.
6. A public school athletic league
has been formed which will supervise
the play of the recess periods and in.
troduee class athletic competitions
with the idea of making all of the
boys and girls athletic if not athletes.
This work is under the direction of
the playground committee of the
School Improvement Association, and
will include work, down through the
primary grades.
Supervision.
1t is worse than useless to attempt
TO conduct Fairgrounds without ex-
>perdenced supervision" The first es-
sential of real playground work is
that it gives an opportunity to play
continuous and uninterrupted games.
The development of the power of
holding and carrying out concrete
purpose is the greateSL OF ali the Dene-
fits that play confeIs. Play also re-
quires supervision.
To the decree that mankind shall
work for its daily bread. is added the
decree that man shall play-for the
salvation of both its body and its soul
"a decree so inwrought in the very
constitution of man that there is no
greater danger to mankind, especially
in its state of childhood, than the
prevention or the fnisdirection of play
There is an old adage which reads,
Take care of the pennies and the dol
lars will take care OF themselves, and
this can be interpreted in the terms OF
playground work: Take care of the
boys and girls and the welfare of So
ciety IS assured"
Important as play may be from the
standpoint of health and recreation, ii
is far. more important in its social
aspects.
It is the school for citizenship, the
laboratory where habits are developed
that are all important.
Play IN itself is socially neither
good nor bad but the mutual relation
ships involved have an ethical effect
that may be toward good or toward
evil; therefore we must have play I'M
der right conditions and the city
street is not likely 10 furnish, sucn