New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-24
100000 CHILDREN PLAY
BradStreet Reports This Years
Attendance Breaks All Records.
SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS
Fairgrounds Should Be Fenced
and Beautified, He Tells
Commissioner Slower.

In a report Of the playground work for
the last season, which has Just been sub
mitted to Park Commissioner Slower by
Howard Bradstreet. the Supervisor of Rec
reation. the fact that 100000 children we're
in attendance during June. July. August
and September is said TO he an indication
that organization of the Fairgrounds work
should have been done years ago. No other
figures for attendance since the opening OF
the city Fairgrounds in 1898 come anywhere
near the number for the present summer.
The playground must serve a definite
purpose to justify its existence to the tax
payer" said Mr. Bradstreet in his report.
Its aim should be to get the children off
the streets TO give them a wholesome
atmosphere without compulsion and to de-
velop a law-abiding spirit as an offset 10
the rapid and widespread gang movement
which prevails, and which cannot be met
by police methods"
In June. 1915 for the first time since their
| establishment under the Park Department,
the Fairgrounds were made a separate bu-
reau At that time there were twelve play
centres in operation, with eight men and
thirteen women attendants in charge of
| the work. These grounds were 50 crowded
! that play centres were opened in fourteen
extra appropriation enabled the department
to increase the force Of attendants by sixty
| OF more.
According TO Nj BradStreCt. the term
playground. like the term park" has as
yet an indefinite meaning. This was evil
denced. he said. by the criticism which fol-
lowed the opening Of new centres in some
Of the parks. many citizens decrying the
damage that would result TO the grass.
In some Of these cases. said Mr.. Brad
street in his report notably In Corears
Hook and Mulberry Bend parks, the lawns
had already seriously deteriorated. No ap-
paratus was placed on the lawns in any Of
the parks where play centres were estab-
lisbed but play lenders introduced games.
There was already n scattered use of the
grounds. but the leaders attracted many
other children. The success OF these places
as play centres was unquestioned. The
damage done TO the grass in some Of them
was equally conspicuous
The final result in the matter Of these
new play centres. therefore. was unsatisfac-
tory inasmuch as there were two opposing
interests. one centring about the children
and the other cenuing about the grass The
former was Eratifed and aprlauded and
the latter was shocked.
"Bv the erection OF a proper fence
tisticaIly banked on both sides, the intro
duction Of proper artistic shelters and
buildings and the installation of apparatus,
= playground is established which is a
Measure TO the eye, in harmony with the
surroundings, even in the most exclusive
parrs. and gives the widest opportunities
for the enjoyment Of children. Such treat
uent Is the standard one in Chicago, but
is unknown in the outdoor Fairgrounds Of
New York"
Mr.. rradstreet recommended to Com
missioner Slower that at least one or more
such centres should he established in New
York to acquaint the public with the proper
meaning Of the word playground in con-
nection with park.
Among other things. Mr.. Bradstreet
asked that The Fairgrounds be protected
from hOOdlumS.
some of the grounds of the department"
he said are fenced in. while others are
not The purpose Of a fence around play
ground is not primarily for ornament, but
h keep out those who do not belong in.
whether during the day or after hours.
For example, in Hamilton Fish Park the
boys and girls Fairgrounds are Enclosed
with Il fence five feet high. The Blu
reau Of Recreation il responsible for the
city property within the Enclosures. Its
attendants and leaders leave by O'Clock
AT night. Up to mat time order prevails.
but after that the hoodlums. sometimes
hundred more, Jump over the renee. ana
then a reign Of destruction begins Before
the Park Department can expect the po-
lice TO protect its property II must itself
make protection feasible. The only alter
native is TO keep Watchmen and patrOlmen
on duty twentyfour hours in the day"
Mr.. BradstTeet asked that the schedule Of
pay for the play leaders be increased. In
an effort 10 increase interest in folk dances.
he says. the city should purchase two
hurdy gurdies. one 70 remain below i2d
! 81 H.