Evening journal., 1908-07-31
TOTS HAVE FUN
IN PARK POOL
Cool Spring Park a Delight
fol Pleasure Spot
These Days
MOTHERS ENJOY
CHILDREN'S ROMPS

There are no longer naughty boys and
girls in the neighborhood Of Cool Spring
Park. Having had their energies directed
from mischief into a new and most pleas
ant channel that Of bathing in the foun-
tain lake in the northwest corner Of the
park. the children have left nothing for
complaint by those living on the border
Of the park. who protested when the
Board Of Water Commissioners first enter
tanned the suggestion TO permit children
to bath in the pool
Nothing could be better evidence of the
value Of a liberal policy as TO children's
Fairgrounds than the success OF the ex-
pertinent at the Cool Spring park. The
bathing privilege has been received not
alone by the children with Joy. but by
every mother within eight squares Of the
park and the little lake with it's spashing
fountain and party Of shouting children is
generally surrounded by mothers delight
ing in the pleasure Of their tots. A boquet
Of children refreshened in the ripping
water Of the pool is the idea conveyed TO
enc interested in children and their
pleasures.
The water is hardly more than two feet
deep, but enough pleasure is obtained to
amply satisfy the most vigorous young
ster. During the week or so in which the
pool has been used by the children there
have been no mishaps, and the tots are
as safe under the attention of the watch-
ful park guards as they would be in the
home bath tub under the eyes Of anxious
mothers. And they are not all tots either.
The average age IS about years. but
boys and girls past IA years not infre-
quently appear in the pool and pose for
the benefit Of the younger folks, who. Of
course, are still in the dog paddle stage.
1t requires little observation to under
stand that the popularity Of Cool Spring
Park has grown amazing within the week
or so as the result Of the Water Depart
ments opening Of the pool to the children.
Formerly this pool was gazed at hungrily
by hundreds Of sweatIfS youngsters. but
the hope that they might plunge into il
was never entertained. Now that the pool
has been practically given to the children
by the Water Department, youngsters
from many surrounding squares 20 to the
park every day for an afternoons plea
sure.
The Water Department has not been
backward in appraising the value of the
experiment, and it has done everything
TO extend the usefulness of the park as a
children's playground. The boys have been
given the use OF the rear part Of the old
pumping station in which to put on bath
ing suits and the little girls have been
permitted to use the toilets. When the
many improvements now being made in
the park have been completed. there will
be many other accommodations for the
children. These Improvements comprise
the sanding and leveling Of the bottom OF
, the big pool in the center Of the park, as
bathing beach for the children. and the
erection of a shelter over large sand
pile near the old pumping station. It is
expected that these improvements. with
the concerning of the new walks, VIII be
completed within about three weeks.
Councilman Homer c. Simmons, who Is
the contractor, viii begin to lay the con-
crete walks on Monday.