The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-01-20
KEEP MONUMENTS
OUT OF THE PARKS
Detroit Expert Delivers Practical Ad.
dress at Opening Session Of Play
ground Institute.
MOORE

Although the public playground
movement cannot be called exactly
new" In the history of Americas
philanthropic movements for the bet
terment OF her young citizens, Detroit
is away behind in the movement and
the three days meeting OF the Cen
trail Playground institute which
opened, Thursday Afternoon. In the
Hotel Cadillac, is the first official
meeting OF its kind ever held IN this
city
Men and women from various parts
OF the country who have accomplish
ed something tangible in the public
playground cause, will be in Detroit
the next two days TO pass on infor-
nation and experience. in pubic ad-
dresses, in the institute sessions. The
institute is open to the public and
those interested in the movement are
anxious that all citizens who can
spare the time will make IL point
to attend one or all OF the sessions.
The three days program opened
Thursday afternoon, with papers by
Charles Moore, of Detroit, on Pres
ervation of city spaces" and K. b.
DeGroot, general director of field
houses and Fairgrounds, In Chicago.
on "A city plan for Fairgrounds and
public recreation" Both papers were
followed by interesting discussion
Mr.. Moore's paper, which directly
touches a problem in Detroit. was In
part as follows:
Dark as is the picture which may
be drawn truthfully OF conditions In
congested districts In large cities,
there is everywhere to be found q
struggle to make better conditions
Of living. In Chicago the work OF the
South Parks board In providing small
Fairgrounds and recreation centers
for the people of all ages Is not sur
passed anywhere. In Sherman Park,
situated in the midst of the packing
house district, attractive buildings
have been constructed, which arc
models OF simple, charming and eff
fective architecture. There the men
and women of the neighborhood may
give entertainments, lectures, con-
certs, dances, etc; only religion and
politics are barred. There are gym
nasiums, swimming pools, play
grounds, and restaurants; and sum-
mer and winter the people flock to
this park, which is typical OF many
established and maintained at the ex'
pense of the taxpayers included in
the South Parks taxing district.
Washington suffers today, not for
want OF open spaces In the city that
lLEnfant laid out, but because OF
the fact that no provision was made
for small parks in the great area that
has been plated outside OF the city
proper, and which Is now rapidly
building up. The people OF the capt
tai are alive to this lack and are urg'
ing congress to provide for such adj
ditional parks.
1.-The same want Is felt In Detroit.
Judge Woodward used LEnfant's
plan of Washington as the basis OF
his plan for this city; and he pro-
vided an abundance or small parks
and open spaces, although thrifty
city government has appropriated
many of them for library, police ana
other buildings. But in the territory
added to Detroit, since Judge Wood
wards day, no provision has been
made for public parks or open spaces;
but here. as elsewhere, the real
estate speculator has taken for him.
self the last inch which a constantly
increasing disregard for comfort and
convenience has permitted him to
appropriate.
"One growing use to which small
spaces in cities are being devoted, Is
as sites for statues of men whom
for one reason OF another the pubic
sees fit to honor In this way Now
about the most frightful form which
metal Is made to take Is the statue
OF a civilian in modern dress. Usual
ly the sculptor has secured The COM
mission at the hands OF commits
sion that doesn't pretend TO know
much about art, but does know what
IL likes and the result Is shocking.
Whether good or bad, statues should
not be allowed to usurp space In
small parks, to the exclusion OF chill
dren. And IL community or an In
dividual feels like honoring de-
parting citizen, surely a fountain or
some such work OF art Is the most
satisfactory memorial. So pope and
emperor found in days gone by. and
today their memory is perpetuated IN
streams of living water, flowing TOT
the refreshment OF the people or
Rome, rather than by effigies In the
vatican. When one stops to consider
the fountains OF Rome, one Is forced
to the conclusion that among all the
monuments of men, the fountain
comes nearest to being eternal.
The conclusion of the matter
would seem to be: 'First--A city can
not have too many breathing spaces.
Second-Such small parks as have
been seized upon for public buildings
because OF mistaken economy. should
be restored to the public. Third
Small parks should be developed SO
as TO secure the use OF them by the
I,rooat nun,her of DoODle "