Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-27
PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION
HAS ANNUAL MEETING.
Officers Make Their Report and Are
Reelected for the Ensuing Year
Why Fairgrounds Are Needed.

In the Board of Trade rooms Mon
day evening the Norwich Playground
association held it's annual meeting,
the reports presented reviewing the
first season Of work by the association.
President J. B. Stanton conducted the
meeting, which had before it as the
chief business the reception of the re-
ports of the officers and the annual
election.
After the reports had been present
ed, the officers were all reelected as
follows: President. John B. Stanton;
vice presidents, Gilbert S. Raymond
and 7. c. Murphy; secretary, Arthur
L. Peale; treasurer, John M. Lee.
Secretary's Report.
The report by Secretary Peale was
first presented He described in gen.
eral the work Of the association in pro-
viding sand boxes and swings in nine.
different localities during the summer
season with partial supervision, as far
as the funds allowed, and that
through the winter work in furnishing
skating ponds at Trainings pand and
at Stark's lot thousands had enjoyed
this sport. Three public meetings had
been held. His report was accepted,
as were the others that were presented.
Financial Statement.
Treasurer Lee made the following
financial report up to Jan. 1 this year:
Receipts-M Membership S153, life mem
Der ID s25, sustaining membership IS,
contributing membership SO, Board of
Trade $50, sale Of apparatus $3.50.
Disbursements of 1925; balance Jan. ],
1912. $3.50. This was supplemented
by the following since Jan. i Receipts
from boys for flooding Fannings 1880,
membership 1856, total s29s.s0 expen-
ditures S6s.33 in connection with skat-
Ing ponds, balance $230.47. Pledged but
not collected in addition to preceding
$50.
Presidents Convincing Argument.
President Stanton in his annual re-
port gave convincing argument OF
the need and value Of Fairgrounds
which was recognized by his hearers
with hearty burst Of applause He
spoke as follows:
The playground and recreation
movement is not fad and it is not
an experiment 1t has demonstrated
its value and has supplied O need. In
enumerating the institutions that de-
termine the development and charac-
ter Of our boys and girls we have
been In the habit of naming the home,
the school and the church. Now we
must include another factor that must
bear It's part in this work of education
and development, the municipal gov
eminent. Formerly the family and the
home life contributed more largely to
the physical and moral development Of
the children. The changes that have
been brought about by our complex
city life, with It's lack of activities,
that provide for physical development
of children, have tended to increase
nervous strain and to multiply ills
and diseases that only increased ply
steal vigor and robust health can sue
cessfully counteract.
The recognition of these facts and
the desire to give to the children their
birthright of play and conditions fit
for normal development have led to the
formation of playground associations
and to the establishment Of play
grounds in most Of our larger cities.
In our own city the work and discus
sion of several organizations was
crygtalized into tho organization Of q
temporary playground association on
June 13, 1911. This association was
made permanent on June 81, when a
constitution and bylaws were adopt
ed.
The hearty and cordial support that
has been accorded this new organiza-
ton has been very gratifying and en-
couraging to its officers, the executive
committee and the board of directors.
After the formation of the temporary
association plans were Immediately
formed for the summers work, as the
season was close at hand, The seasons
work was successful, though not ex-
tensive, and differing from what was