The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-18
UNUSUAL DENSITY
| OF POP ULATI0N
Richmond's Congestion Greater
Than in Cities Three
Times Its Size.
'CITY'S PROBLEM IS ACUTE
Plans of Fairgrounds Advocates
Will Be Heard by
Committee.
cI1Ys PROBLEM IS ACUTE

before the CITY COunch !" oppiopi'o'S
funds for the supervision and mainte-
nance OF Fairgrounds In Richmond on
more extended scale. those inter-
ested are particularly concerned oveS
the peculiar conditions OF congestion on
the population revealed In Richmond.
Every one who has lived In Richhoho
knows that this IL one OF the most,
conDested cities Of its size in the coun-
try, but this remark has often gone
without accurate knowledge OF Just
how couxested Richmond Is.
In the survey Of recreation condi.
lions made here last spring at the in
stance of the Committee on Recreation
and Fairgrounds. II was shown that
Richmond's density conditions are
equivalent to those found in cities two
a nd three times its size.
The average density for Richmond.
taking In the entire city. including all
the outlying districts within the city
limits. Ii. 22.9 persons per acre. Kansas
City. which has twice the population Ct
Richmond. has density Of only IS. In
other words. Kansas City. which has
twice the population OF Richmond has
less than ons-third it, density Of pepu.
lation
MiIwaukss u three times the siss
tiou 10 1S.s persons per acRA ThlS 10
only one point shove The density fes
Richmond.
Accor..ne = the 1910 eenSuA tAs
least dsnsely populated ward In Rich
mond had seventeen people per acre
At the same time the least densel3
populated ward in Kansas City haa
only L6 persons per acre. and Milwso-
kee in its least densely populated ward
had 1913 persons per acre. In other
words, In the least densely populated
ward In Richmond the population was
eleven times as dense al In Kansas
City. . community OF twice the popu-
lation Of Richmond The density OF
population in the least thickly settled
ward was only about three-fourths OF
that Of Richmond
Problem VIM be Aeute.
The result Of these density conditions
means that Richmond 10 already facing
problem in securing adequate space
for its children and young people for
wholesome outdoor recreation-more
acute than in cities two or three times
It's size. What will be the conditions
In Richmond when this metropolis of
the South reaches the size Of Kansas
City and Milwaukee? Those interested
in tine children and young people OF
Richmond hardly dare to think.
This same fact 10 shown by the care
1ul study which was made last spring
Of the amount Of outdoor play space
in different parts of Richmond. FIJI
teen or twenty blocks in different parts
Of the city were especially studied. A
map was made Of each block, and the
amount Of space taken mp by build
ings was noted. Note vas taken OF
all the space privately owned which
that could Do used for play II proper
ly graded. all private space occupied
by lawns gardens. storage yards. where
play was impossible, was also re.
corded.
The amount Of space In streets and
alleys In these neighborhoods was also
put down, with the trafnc conditions Of
these streets. to show under what CIR
the children in these neigh
borhoods had to play. It was shown
that the private play space varied from
3 to per cent Of the property not
taken by streets and alleys. In other
words, there was not very much pri-
vate play space on which the chill
dren could play. Over 30 per cent OF
the ground not taken up by the streets
and alleys was taken up either BY
buildings or gardens and yards. where
play was impossible.
Net Provided NJ Hone
It Is often said that children should
play at home or In tho yards attached
to their homes This 10 undoubtedly
the ideal condition. and II there was