The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-17
City Playground High
School of Tenements
Best NeanS Avaaabk for Uplifting Young
People, Says CommLssioner-MewaA
uuah Other Mew Tersey Cities,
Gets in Lme-S5,OOO GtUen..
BY COMMISSIONER WILLIAM ]. MnERNAN.

| expenses for the prosecution of Offend
ers and maintenance of prisoners.
Municipal Fairgrounds uplift the social
and political tone of the places where
they are. They help the young people-
physically, mentally and morally.
Duty Owed children.
We W it to the children of the. poor
to give them the same advantages we
give to the children of the wealthy and
near-rich. A municipal playground.
may BIZ said to be the high school for
the poor, for it means pretty much the
same to them that the high chool
proper means to those more favored
with this worlds goods.
The Board of Playground Commits
sioners has but n playground in oper-
alton at present, but when the city
fathers are awakened to the full inn
portance of the subject there will be
many Fairgrounds. The work accom-
plished in thai n playground. stu
ated in South Canal street. has shown
the commissioners what might be lone
in other sections of the city, if the
funds were available to carry on the
work.
The first city playground was started
in October last and has been in opera
ton every day since then. The big
Fairgrounds of the Essex Park Com
mission have been closed during that
time, the Fairgrounds of the public
schools, located in the most congested
districts, have also been CLOSED to the
poor. Why?
Scores Closed Grounds.
Children live in winter as we'll as in
$1,000. @-I l,,.tx, flzo tr1Nlnf71.
ent season they are in more need of
some congenial place to go than at n
other time. Why, then, should the
playgrounds1whic belong to h peo-
pie be closed to them because a few
self centered officials in their high and
mighty way have so tdecreed.
One of the facts mistakenly brought
out in the operation of the first city
playground is in the rules of the
ground:
..Fricnds, this property is yonrs.
These grounds belong to the
people of this part OF the city, and
you are expected to help take care
of them and to assist In preserving
order. People, tnkc good care of
your own property
The first city playground is about 800
by 100 feet. There is a long shed along
IilC aWCStCil SIuCg IL ltiuhA ~
containing a library, one shower bath
and toilets. The house has been a.,
great Door to the young people during
the bad weather, not only as a recrea-
ton centre, but for other uses. The
single shower bath has been taxed to
it's utmost capacity every day. The
little branch of the big Free Library
is a boon best appreciated by those who
understand the work.
what other Cities Spend.
Here is what some of the cities are
spending each year for Fairgrounds,
based on the sums appropriated for
public recreation last ear
Chicago--$11. 900, 900 in the last three
years for purchase of sites and equip
ment. Last year for maintenance,
about 100000.
Boston-Has spent millions for sites
and spends about $4,000 a year for
maintenance.
New York has spent about $15,0 DOC, 600
for sites. Last year about $SS5,000 was
appropriated for Fairgrounds.
East Orange-$50,O 900 for Orange Oval
and $10.0 0 for maintenance.
Jersey City-$25,0 900 for sites.
Newark has given this year So, 900 for
sites, equipment and maintenance.