The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-04-28
PUBLIC PLAYGROUND
NEEDED IN BARRE
To Accommodate the 2,7oo Pupils Who
Are Enrolled in the Public Schools
Suitable Land Can Be
Purchased.

Editor Times; In view Of the fact
that the matter Of school playground
win come up for discussion at the city
meeting this evening, Il is hoped that
there may be a large attendance Of vot.
ers so that the question may be decided
on its merits
The lack Of a suitable playground has
been frequently cemented upon and the
acquisition Of such a playground has
been recommended by the superintendent
of schools and the school commissioners
for the past two years, while the last
annual report Of Mayor Robins also
called attention to the matter and recon,
mended action.
1t must be remembered that there
were enrolled in our public schools last
year 300 pupils; that there Is no place
controlled by the school commissioners
or the city where these children can
gather for games or sports. The base
bah team at the high school has TO hire
a place when it wishes 10 play match
game Of ball or to practice. Other forms
Of athletics which would be Of value to
the boys particularly have not been en-
gagged IN for lack OF suitable play
ground or athletic field. In many cities
much is made, during the summer
months, Of an outdoor gymnasium
Many foreign countries are taking the
lead in this matter and at the present
time Canada and the United States ara
awakening to the Importance OF the
problem. While IL Is probably true
that this need is more keenly felt in the
lnrrnr offtac trhfah ..ttst34s. thn -. tta-
the most attention. It Is also worthy
Of notice that the Massachusetts legis.
lature passed law requiring every city
Of over 10000 population 70 vote az 70
whether the city will maintain play
grounds. The first vote was taken under
this law last fall, and with one exception
every city voted to establish suitable
Fairgrounds for its children.
The Importance Of games and athletic
contests has been emphasized from the
time Of Plato to the present day. The
boy or girl is actiye and II is desirable
that this activity be controlled and d.
verted into the best channels. Sports
have a hygienic value; they teach physi-
cal self control; they increase muscular
development and bodily health. They
also promote mental activity and aid
informing habits Of order and quick ard
accurate thinking. The player learns 20
meet emergcncies--to depend upon him.
self On the playground children come
in contact with their fellows and learn
that the rights Of others must be re-
spected They learn to distinguish be-
tween what is fair and what Is unfair
and the judgment OF the child is often
keen and accurate.
1t must be conceded that the children
Of Barre win play somewhere, whether
II be on the streets or the occasional
vacant plot Of ground. The question
arises II ii II not the duty Of the city to
provide some place where the children
81 or sehonls espeeieIiy. may feel that
khay hase rights anA privileges which
they cannot have otherwise. II Il not
true that the city ewes this much to
the children Of today who VIII be the
men and women. the active ciizens and
home makers Of tomorrow
When Barre WAS 4 small village this
need was not apparent. Open spaces
we're plenty; base ball could be played
but a step from the main street; the
number Of children, too. was small. But
IL must be remembered that Barre has
grown rapidly; that most Of the vacant
places have been built up; that the num-
Der Of children has increased and the
school census Is showing a steady in-
crease. The opportunities for the pur.-
chase Of land suitable for playground |
purposes are yearly growing less and |
now that suitable piece Of land NAV
be had at what seems a reasonable price
Il would seem t6 be fair question If It /
il not for the best interests Of the /
city to purchase this land It is |
question Of sufficient Importance to have
a full discussion BY a well-attended |
meeting Of the ciizens Of Barre.