The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-01-28
FAIRGROUNDS.
Promote Morality Educa-
ton And Good
Citizenship
DOOMED IN CHURCHES

~ IL Delng demonstrated III ClJlSS
throughout the United States that the
establishment of play grounds for the
younger generation Is an indispens-
able factor to the promotion OF
morality, education and good citizen
ship. In relation to crime, a material
decrease is always to be noted, es-
pecially in the juvenile courts, in all
instances where Fairgrounds have
been established. 1t is time that
Canton should recognize this fact and
join the procession Of cities who are
doing all in their power to advance
the welfare of their people.
Sunday marked the Inauguration of
the Fairgrounds boom in Canton.
While 1t Is not the first effort along
this line, it is the one most likely to
bear fruit. An endeavor with the
same object was made last summer,
and while 1t was somewhat lacking
in concentrated power, its desirable
effect was apparent almost from the
very first. Now 1t is to be taken up
on a larger scale. The uniting of the
ministers with the Canton Play
grounds Association means the con-
ducting of an active campaign for the
creation of playground sentiment.
The Canton Fairgrounds Associa-
ton is an organization founded last
summer It's first work was the start
ing of a Fairgrounds in the Madison
street district, on a vacant lot,
bounded by Madison, Nimisilla,
Bueher and Hahn streets. At this
place, swings, a sand pile, and other
out-of-door amusements were placed
at the avail of the children of that
vicinity, and the lot was nearly al
ways thronged with happy clamoring
youngsters. After a time the play
grounds was put under the super
vision of Edgar Meyers, boys di-
rector of the Y. M. c. A.. and under
his skillful management it became a
permanent success.
Now the Fairgrounds association
wants to secure the spot as a place
for a permanent Fairgrounds, and it
is the intention of the leaders of the
organization to take the matter be-
fore the council in an attempt to have
them appropriate money for the pur-
chase of the location. 1t is certain,
they argue, that growing Canton will
within a short time close in upon the
plot and finally with one of its great
strides of progress, completely de-
stroy every vestage of the once
breathing place, thus leaving the
children, and citizens, too, of that dis
trict, entirely destitute of any form
of recreation. At present It could be
purchased at very nominal figure,
but If such action is delayed until
every bit of space is built up, the
cost of such land will more than
double.
1t is almost assured that the Play
. grounds Association could obtain the
location, temporarily, for use as a
breathing spot this summer, but they
desire the city to have permanent
ownership. This having been Sc
J cured it is their intention to eventu-
ally do a great deal Of Improvement
; so that the place instead of being a
barren lot will be an ideal spot for
the recreation of the children. It Is
probable that some form of shelter
will be erected this summer, also
more swings, shoot-the-chutes and
other amusements will be provided.
The lack of a suitable shelter from
the burning sun as well as the rain
J was greatly noticeable during the
summer of last year,
The Association, states Miss
. Blanche Vignos, one of the most ac-
| 1--WE ll0 ul6UuDeTS, Will dlSO Apply W
. the council for the privilege to use a
small portion of Nimisilla Park for
the purpose of creating play
, grounds in the northeast section of
the city. A small allotment from this
beautiful park would make an ideal
, spot for such purpose.
/ 1t Is also proposed to invite the CO
operation of the Board of Education
with view of obtaining the privilege
from that body of using the school
yards during the summer months for
Fairgrounds. The granting of such a
! privilege by the board would almost
mean the solution of the Fairgrounds
problem.
Proper, supervision OF these parks
, is very essential to the success OF
them, and the Association will, as
their present plans begin to mater
ialize take up the proposition of EN-
ploying superintendents or directors
of the Fairgrounds. Edgar Meyers, OF
the Y. M. G. A., proved an admirable
: director of the Madison street play
grounds, but owing to other duties, he
will not be able to devote his entire
attention to such work during the
: coming summer.
At present the leaders of the asso.
citation are engaged in perfecting the
organization, by increasing the mem
= bership and strengthening it along
! other lines. All persons who desire
; to take any part in the work of bet
! tering the condition of the children by
4 establishing Fairgrounds, should be
I come a member of the association
| Membership cards can be obtained
E from any one of the following com
r mittee: Miss Blanche Vignos, chair
man; Miss Cora Rackle, Mrs. j. L
$ Hanley, Mrs. Charles Cock, Miss Ruth
, Reynolds, Edgar Meyers of the Y M
4 G. A. and Ira Aungst Honorary mem
! bership fee is $40, associate member
, ship is IS, and active membership is
81. The present officers of the organ
ization are F. e. Case, president, and
Mrs. Norman Krause, secretary anC
treasurer. These Offices will stanC
! until the association becomes larger
and stronger.
Such persons as President Roose
Q velt Mayor Mcclellan of New Yorl
: city, Helen Gould, John d. Archbold
Seth Low, Mrs. Russell sage anC
y many others have recognized the goot
/ in Fairgrounds and have become warn
: advocates Of them.
: The following has been said O
Fairgrounds by some of the leadinl
men of the country: Josiah Strong
Q THE universal impulse to play is
4 = a ~