The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-05
Helping Hands for Boys
Question of Public Fairgrounds

1t has been commonly assumed that the ques-
ton of public play was one applicable only to
the large city where the press of population
has more and more tended to eliminate the In
dtvidual dooryards While 1t is no doubt true
that the problem is most pressing in the larger
communities, It IS equally true that the need for
helping Children to play and for furnishing
more and better recreation opportunities for the
young men and women exists we'll in the
smaller cities. the towns and country villages.
What shall we do tonight" is common
question among the young people of the small
community. And 1t is pertinent question,
because there is not much for a pleasure-loving
boy girl to do. The local theatre probably
serves also as the armory for the local military
company If there Is one at all and Ii is visited
only rarely by band of strong players, most
often a company playing Uncle Toms Cabin. Or
other attractions o-called- there ars none The
soda fountain does rushing business in the
summer. the main street serves as a maKne,
for numerous youthful strollers out looking for
excitement and now that the moving picture
show has reached the smaller towns Il too ia
we'll patronized. What is true of the small
city is equally true of the village and the farm
community. Indeed. for the farmer boy or girl
the few recreatons here enumerated do not
exist save as they go to town visit the county
fair.
We have desire to paint the picture too
darkly. The children in the little cities towns
and villages do have good times, but they gel,
them because they create them for themselves
The community does nothing to furnish them
with amusement save perhaps certain holi-
days and even the commercial amusement so
reached the smaller of the towns. When chfi-
dren have to provide all of their own fun the
effort to do it sooner or later pals. And among
the more energetic and inventive fun" comes
| to have variety of meanings not all Of them
good and wholesome.
| The opportunity for the social center then
for the supervised playground, and for neigh
borhood clubs. exerts quite much in the les
ser communities In the State in Milwaukee
The difference is only in degree. The follow
ing from the Grant County News PiatteviIre
suggests the truth Of this
Even in little city there Is need of a
properly conducted playground. Every little
plot OF public ground holds THAT fearful sign
Keep Oft the grass The bringing OF health
happiness into the child life is worth more than
all the grass In the city May the near future
have in store well directed playground thar
will make happier childhood and better cit-
zens."
/ There is a bill before the education com
mittee Of the State Senate (No. 445) which Of
fers the means, through recreation board by
which every city, town village in the State
may II It wishes, have this public playground
social centers In its pubic schools-in brief, a
system of public recreation to help make hap
tpfer and healthier children and grown-ups and
to offer those opportunities for real fun, dearth
of which now too often sends the brightest boys
and girls away to the excitement Of the big city
/ If law which will materially assist the COM
munities of the State In bringing these changes
to pass is desirable, progressive citizens Of wis
consin should see to 1t that the recreation bill
passes.-Milwaukee Journal.