The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-02-24
PLAY SPOTS FOR THE
PEOPLE ARE FAVORED
PAPER READ BEFORE THE So
CiAl SCIENCE CLUB.
Does Mankato Need Recreation
Center?' An interesting Review
of the Movement That Has Been
Taken Up in Other Cities: What
Could Be Done Locally; the Ad-
vantages Sought.

Rev c. b. Osgood last evening
read paper before the Social Sci
ence CLUB OH Does Mankato Need
a RECREATION Center?" He said in
part:
ITO understand our subject let us
begin by defining our term. A rec
rcation center is the organization of
the people by any local community
without regard TO race. social posi-
ton, or religion, for mutual helpful
ness and social diversion. 1t is, in
fact, an attempt at the restoration
OF country neighborhood conditions,
where all are acquainted and are
interested in each other
Plan of Work.
1t consists of the organization of
Il social center made up of the peo-
pie of the neighborhood. and form
ing the people of this center into
civic clubs for men and women, old
and young. The clubs have lee
lures. musical entertainments, and
in fact provide literary programs of
all kinds. They conduct neighbOr-
hood socials in the winter and pic
MICS in the summer: organize ath-
letic associations, employ physical
directors and instructors and other
helpers as may be needed. For the
use Of these organizations, proper
buildings are provided and equipped
by the municipality out of public
funds, with assembly halls, gym
nasiums, baths, also parks for out
Of door play grounds with properly
equipped swimming pools with free
dressing rooms, and bathing suits
to rent. wading places for younger
children, sand piles for the little
ones, and gymnasium apparatus.
There is also provision made for
baseball parks. football grounds, and
in winter for ice skating Kinks. and
many other forms of helpful work
and pleasure. To provide funds neceS-
sary for the carrying out of these
things, i'm some instances bond is
sues have been authorized by the
sum needed was secured by putting
the amount in the budget of the
city expenses and raising it as taxes
for school extension work.
Movement Began in Boston.
The social center movement began
i'll Boston. in 1897. by the purchase
of land for parks, erection of build
ings and the purchase of equipment.
The amount to pay for this was
raised by bond issue authorized
by vote Of the people.
The Ideal Spot.
The following ideal, describing
what is needed in our cities, is a
quotation from George c. Parker of
Hartford, Conn, park expert. He
describes the kind of park he
thinks we will need. | would have
play grounds for children, lots OF
shade and, if it is possible, grass
and shade trees where the working
mems wives and children could sit
summer afternoons. | would have
lots of seats and tables. and super
abundance of light, SO that the men,
after hard days work and find
pleasant place during summer
evenings. in which if he desired, he
could take his evening meals. He
would have pretty flowers in abun-
dance, but none or few shrubs.
would have a stadium where con-
tests could take place, and an out
of door and indoor gymnasium.
would have a shelter with abundance
# l;.rht 60,
evenings and winter. / would have
band concerts. / believe that the
park which is needed in industrial
cities, is yet to be built"
What Has Been Done in Chicago.
From 1904 to 1907. $6,50C,OOO was
houses in Chicago which cost $780,
900 each, and from $4,000 to $780,
geo annually for maintenance in
doors and out. In April, 1907, the
west side voted 100000 for three
recreation centers and the same
month the north side, 100000 for
one center, and the south side, So
100000 additional to extend their
work. Some of these centers were
located among the working people,
being placed TO meet the needs OF
hundred thousand or more stock
yard and packing plant employees.
Attendance for 1906.
The total attendance for the year
1906, which was after two years Of
its existence, was 5,476,695. This does
not include onlOOkers, or visitors.
The indoor gymnasium had enrolled
in classes 31,276, with an attendance
of 371,15S. The shower baths, &c.,
752; reading rooms. 60S,OO0: social
gatherings, 1864: small club
rooms. 29S.239, in the gymnasium,
2.27S,S47. The classes were ar
ranged to accommodate the differ
ent ages.
The Work in Rochester.
Rev. OsgOOd took up the matter
of expense of maintaining social
centers. He cited that one i'm Ro-
chester, n. Y, as an example. For
the first six months, $3,368.2S. The
attendance at the library and gym
nasium baths, and club rooms dur