The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-02
THE LOCAL PLAYGROUND
instruction Secured In Person Of
Otis C. Skeele Of New York

Otis c. Skeele OF New York
The local playground will formal.
ly open on July first In addition TO
the games and athletics there will be
opportunities this year in folk dane
ing. sewing and basketry. The Hol-
den estate has most generously Civ
en- the village free use OF the Flatiron
as long as It is used for a playground
and next year trees and shrubs will
be added that it may be one of the
most attractive spots in the village.
Through the generous appropria-
ton Of the voters OF the village last
spring Otis G, Skeele of the Depart
ment Of Education of the city of New
York has been appointed director OF
the local playground for the months
of July and August. Mr.. Skeele was
formerly in the gymnasium of SYRIA
cuse University and comes TO us with
high recommendation from the lead
ers of the National Playground AS
sociation.
But to make this gift and the gen
erous one voted by the village last
March most effective certain equip
ment is needed The playground
movement in our village has had a
rather remarkable history. Begin
ming last July with sand box and
teeter the season was closed with
very good outfit with about 500 on
hand. Every piece was given entire
ly unsolicited. a SPLENDID testimony
to the altrism and public spirit of
Bennington Those interested in
the movement are very proud of
this record and if possible wish TO
keep this spirit rather foreign TO
most enterprises of this sort. They
would therefore make known their
needs and ask all those interested in
helping solve the recreation problem
to send their contributions to Olive
Pope, treasurer, or Hilda Pratt, chair
man of the Girls Civic League:
Equipment needed: Shelter house
$165; Giant Stride, SIS; Basket Balls
and Court, 500; Baby Swings, $40;
Playground and Volley Balls, $S
Equipment wished for wading pool,
800
Playground News.
The energetic Board of Trade of
Pittsheld, Mass. has been busy de-
veloping playground sentiment dur
ing the winter and spring. a com
mittee appointed by the mayor will
conduct the Fairgrounds this sum
mer.
Three Fairgrounds we're conducted
in Northampton, Mass, last summer
and will be continued during the com
ing season The emerge OF private
citizens has produced excellent re-
suits so far and it is expected that
the city government will give aid
for the first time this summer.
Last summer Worcester, Mass,
showed a wonderful playground de-
velopment The playground associ-
alton expended 100000.
Wayland, Mass, has been present
ed with a large play field The Play
ground Association has leased a
second one in another part of the
town both will be under the direc-
ton of a supervisor this summer.
On June fifteenth the graduating ex-
ercises of the schools viii consist Of
a Play Pageant in which children Of
all ages will participate.
Bennington Is in the first ranks of
the Playground movement. In the re
port Of the National Playground AS
ISOLATION, Bennington was found to
be the only town in Vermont reported
] Il. 4
during 1910 and among the 1873
towns and cities from Maine TO Cali
fornia which were represented there
were only three others OF its size
among them York, Nebraska sum
nit, New Jersey and Catskili, New
/ York