Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-05-03
Get SITE FOR
A PLAYGROUND
Representatives of Woman's
Club Attend Meeting of
Playground Commission.
MANY PLACES MENTIONED
Net Ready to Buy Tract This
Year But Plans for Fu-
turs Discussed.

Discussion as to the best available
sites for Fairgrounds in this city
occupied a considerable portion OF
the time at the meeting of the Play
ground Commission yesterday after
noon in the city hall. The members
received many valuable suggestions
for their work from Mrs. William H.
Bawden- and Mrs. Charles r.
Fletcher, members of the Woman s
Club of this city, who We're present
on invitation An automobile trip
will be taken next week to Morris
town, East Orange and other places
in this vicinity to inspect play
grounds and the work being done by
commissions.
Field Secretary Haines, of the
Playground Association of America,
will arrive In this city May 27 for
weeks stay, 1t Is understood, as
the guest of the Woman's Club. 1t
Is expected that during his stay he
will be able to offer many valuable
suggestions for the work in this
locality. The Woman's Club has Of
fered to leave him at the full disposi-
tion OF the playground commission,
but it is probable that he will give
several addresses under the auspices
of the woman's organization.
Several Sites Mentioned.
A number of sites were spoken Of
at yesterdays meeting. The old
water works, the reservoir site, the
Wonderland Beach tract, vacant
land near the library and post office,
the developing of school yard plots,
the Rarftan Copper Works field, ETC.,
all came up for consideration. 1t Is
pretty definitely understood that the
commission cannot buy any land this
year, but must borrow or lease at a
small figure. Any money that 1t ex-
poets to get it hopes to be able to
put into the development of the sites
in question.
After considering the sites possi-
BILE as playground locations, 1t was
decided that the plot to the west of
school No. 4, in Smith street, would
make good place and that the land,
owned by the G. kardee Works,
could be secured fof its taxes. or
perhaps nothing. Tho matter was
referred to Commissioner George F.
Reynolds to take up with the factory
people.
For Future Tract.
The ladies were of the impression
that the city should lay aside some
large tract, such as the reservoir or
old water works property, to be
used as the future playground of
Greater Amboy. 1t was shown how
the children flock to Central Park,
New York, at the present time as a
central location in Manhattan, while,
when that tract was purchased, 1t
was far out of the way of usual
travel. Attention was called to the
fact that Perth Amboy Is growing to
the west and 1t was thought that
the city should make some provision
for the children of the future as
well as for today while land is avail
able.
The old water works property
was spoken of as an ideal place In
that 1t would afford skating in win
ter. Opinion was expressed that
the Shade Tree Commission should
plant trees In this site in anticipa-
tion of 1T being used for playground
purposes in years to come. The
Wonderland Beach tract was object
y ed to on account of reported sewer
outlet being near It's shore and the
smoke from the copper works near
by
The Playground Idea.
Attention was called to the fact
that not many people know what
the playground idea really means.
1t WAS stated that the playground
was form OF outdoor school and In
Its way was just as valuable as the
indoor one. No Fairgrounds should
be maintained without supervisor
to instruct the children in their
games and pastimes, 1t was stated.
Automobiles for rent. Sexton, 7a
Smith st. Phone 181. 20097-4-1t-tfs