The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-02
RECRfAT|ONWORk
IN MODERN CITY.
Multiplicity of Duties Ahead OF
Proposed Superintendent of
Fairgrounds.
KEY TO PLAN BEFORE COUNCIL
Must Help 10 Get Adequate
Space and Provide Suitable
Public Amusements.

Fairgrounds makes the following
statement
Tho plan urged Dy the Committee
on Recreation and Fairgrounds ana
those cooperating with II, for extend
ing the playground and recreation
work in Richmond. depends Tor lts
success on securing an expert speci-
ally trained and experienced superin-
tendent OF recreation. AS has peen
pointed out. this does not mean nee
essarily going away from Klchmohu'
aimee there are two or three peoPle
in the city measuring up 10 ines"
qualifications. out the success or ran
ure OF the whole extension would de-
mend very largely on the recreation
superintendent. While under the plan
proposed he will be responsible 10
Tho Administrative Board, sim the5
viii inevitably have 10 leave TO MN
the details OF the system. Just as the
school board in a city mas 10 leaVe
10 It's superintendent the details OF
the school work.
some people have been asking wnai
such q recreation superintendent w0uio
do in Richmond. II the man seeure'
- one OF broad vision and tact IN
Sealing with all sorts OF people the
question will not be what he is 70 40
but what in the multitude OF duties
he must put hrst To make *.eo0
meet the needs OF any consideraois
number OF the 25.eo0 children ana
young people who need help. viii keep
the recreation superintendents HANDS
full
He will not only have 10 supervise
the y ork actually in hand. but he
will have 10 plan and lay the FOUND
ations for an extensive system. when
viii. as the years go By, eVentuaiIS
reach and influence as many cniIoren
and young people as are reached ID
the school system, but which Will 60
beyond the years OF school lie. and
try 10 reach and help the working
boys and girls and Young people.
space Badly Needed
one very important task Will be 70
helm In the selection and requirement
by the city OF adequatet play space.
either in connection with the scnooi
buildings vi in connection with the
extension OF the park system AS mas
been pointed out, this is u very urgent
need in Richmond. and the people are
awake to the need ot such pieces OF
property. which cannot De secured
without careful planning and much
work The recreation superintendent
would need TO help the other city
authorities IN planning these develop
ments, ia order TO see that the spaces
are provided in the parts OF the city
where there is the greatest need.
Al the outset II should be remem-
tered that such a recreation super
,ntenden, saves the amount 90 his sal
airy TO the city every year. b. making
IL possible 10 employ. under his cnaree.
,ess experienced assistants than would
De possible without a weii-eQuippeu
head. Much of the work IN taxing
charge Of individual Fairgrounds can
be left to college students. school,
teachers and others who cannot give
their entire time TO directing play
ground and recreation work. but who
can give some time. and VINO can De
paid by the day or week for Just the
amount OF time that they work. This
is less expensive than hiring assist
ants by the year.
II Is however, Impossible TO employ
such part-time helpers without a we'll
equipped and experienced superinten-
dent TO supervise thsii WORK aid See
that IL is done in way 10 help the
most children and young people 10 the
greatest extent
Summer Play Fields.
The Grst work of the recreation
with the summer Fairgrounds and
pIay fields, and later. with the running
or these Fairgrounds during the fall
ana spring and with indoor recreation
work during the winter in school
houses. The recreation superintendent,
subject 10 the approval OF the Ad-
rn.nistrative Board, with have to select
and supervise his assistants. lie VIII
also have to train them in just u
sort Of work which needs 10 be done
some cities run a training course Tor
4 week at the beginning OF their sum-
mer work. in order that the assistants
may know just what TO do and how
10 meet difncuit situations as they
arise Other cities run training
course during the winter and sprins.
with one session each week, takine
up bv brief talks and actual practice.
work the different details OF efficient
recreation leadership.
The recreation supervisor. under the
approval OF the Administrative Board.
will have to select. purchase and In
stall equipment, select and distribute
perishable supplies He VIII have 10
arrange schedules for his workers and
programs for each week. 90 tina; there
may be no conflict and no duplication.
and so that there may be adequate
supervision during the hours when
there are many children and less SUI
pervIsion during the hours when the
Fairgrounds are not so crowded
The recreation superintendent will
have TO cooperate with the school
Aoard and the work OF tho physical
training director in the employ OF the
school board. Most OF the time OF
the physical training director in the
public schools necessarily has TO b.
taken up with the regular physical
training work during school houra. The
recreation superintendent can work
with the physical training director &c
secure the development OF athletic
badge contests: group contests between
schools where every member In the
school takes part and the average OF
one school IT, compared with the aver
age OF another. so that even the least