Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-04-06
THE PLAYGROUND
 HIS INFLUENCE G. D. Wilson. Physical Di- rector at Y M C A. Tells Of It's Local Benefits. B UILD $ CHARACTER Says The Children NiuSi Have physi- cal Training To Make @ood
 Men and Women
B UILDS $ CHARACTER

The Playground at Sixth avenue and Main street has been reCpeDed and is affording pleasure to numerous child ren who are taking advantage of the spring weather to get out ol doors. There is no doubt but that the child ren appreciate the PlaySf ound, and although those who made it poss1bie have met with many difficulties, their efforts ale bearing fruit.
 There is a need for this work in Pine Bluf1 In somo sections Of the city there are children who are grow ng up on the streets. To such child zen the playground is a godsend. If the playgrounds did nothing but keep hese children off the streets 1t would serve it's purpose and would be giving tull value for the money spent in It's maintenance; but it does mo1e than this.
 There is ill charge of the ground, turing mcst of the play hours, eacher or supervisor, who directs the play and enforces some rules of dis cipline. Itis during the chiid's play life that it's character is formed. Very few of the children who visit the Playground have supervised play un- Ter any other conditions. Teach a child to play fairly and it has learned l valuable lesson.
 True there are many children i'll Pine Bluff who do not need the Play ground To children with good homes and play yards, the public Playground not necessary. They probably have ,ccess to some gymnasium and their parents give some attention to their )laytime; but these children are not i'll he majority The other children, who Ire just as valuable to the community, ire left to play where they may.
 Strange as it may seem, children do not know how to play. Naturally, hey have to be taught. Watch boy who has had no gymnasium training or the first time enter into a directed same. He is unna tural and aWkNald. He has not gotten into tie group spirit. He has heretofore lived and played alone, selfishly, and is suddenly hrust into an organ!Zation where ev- ery fellow has all equal chance. Here $ laid the foundation for his future ove of law and order.
 A boy stole an apple from an ltai- ans fruit stand in Pittsburgh. Tine Italian ran after him, but the boy lodged into an alley and escaped. The next day the performance was repeat s0 The third day the Italian had policeman handy and the boy was run Town and caught Why do you do his Johnny,''' asked the officer, are you so hungry that you have to steal?" "Na," the boy answered, but like to have old Toney chase me.
 A boy loves to chase and be chased. He cant help it. It is an inheritance from the day when man secured ms ood by his fleetness, and ill turn was chased by his enemies. We all m herit it. Those who can afford to chase the fox, but that is the sport of wealthy few. A good game of cross .ag in a playground serves the pur- pose excellently, satisfies the boys love of being chased, and saves the state the expense of supporting criminal.
 The Playground is something more han a recreation place. It is a piace where character is built. Much credlt is due the Pine Bluff people ill pro viding a place for it's children where their lives may be directed, when away from home and school influences.
 G. D. WILSON.