The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-29
y~ ~ Norh hHaenTn hH Been Tf
 Ground Photo by Der

How many of you know of the North Haven triangle? It ient a mathematical probem--it is a well equipped playground for the children of the district abuttihg on Jasper road and woodlawn avenue.
 Is 1t success? Well rather--as can be easily verified every afternoon by witnessing the rompings and frolics of boys and girls who tax the capacity of the cosy little park. Yet only two months ago the North Haven triangle. as 1t has been called for years, was merely an idlo plot of land with weeds grown high in sbandopment, and trees and bushes un- trimmed and as far as could be ascer- tained the park commission of Brming- ham never manifested the least interest in the place But this could not go on for ever. The beauties of the place even in it's uncared for condition were apparent and the children of the district were sadly in need of the little park for relexation under the shade of its overhanging oak trees
 Mrs W J. Roddy. of 1709 Woodlawn avenue, which directly faces the city owned triangle, is responsible for the initi- ation of the playground idea in that dis trict. She noted that year In and year out the conditions of the little park were growing worse under the neglect of the city authorities, and last May she took 1t upon herself to clean the place and make a pretty park out of little lot of high weeds and bramble bushes.
 Mrs Roddy started a campaign of edu- cation fin interesting her neighbors in the project of beautifying North Haven triangle, and one who was attracted by the idea was J. J. Swenson of the Amer
 can Cast Iron and Pipe company. who resides at the home of Mrs. Roddy. This young man grew daily very enthusiastic over the project and while Mrs. Roddy attended to the financing to pay for the Improvements, MT. Swenson in all his spare moments attended to the practical work, such as cutting the grass, trimming the trees and building swings, sand beds and jogging boards for the children to play on. With the funds Mrs. Roddy secured from the neighbors a number of park benches were purchased, also lawn and chain swings, hammocks and see-saws. The results of the labors of these two enthusiasts of civic progress bore fruit and by the first of July the North Haven triangle had gone through a transformation from a neglected city park into the best equipped park and public playground in the city.
 Mrs. Roddy, when seen at her home yesterday, said: Tt seemed pity to me that the children of the neighborhood should have had no place to play, and that this little park in front Of us should remain fin It's neglected state, so I talked the matter over with my neghbors and was able to gather quite a fund to pay for the proposed Improvements l wanted fin the park. To MT. Swenson belongs al the credit of actually carrying out the idea of the playground for he went and did all the practical work and also did his best to interest the city authorities | to help us in our work. committee composed of w. N. Hamill w. K. Sauls- burg and Mrs. Salisbury, Mrs. NJ. B. Cecil and MT. Swenson are now in charge of the work. and 1t is proposed to secure a larger field a block away and there have an up-to-date park and playground to be ready by next spring I understand the city authorities will cooperate with this committee in the plans of this play ground which is called North Highlands park. On the work done fin heautifyine this little triangle we received no en- cOuragenent or nelp rom tile clty park commission, and if what has been done as individuals has awakened the city au- thorities into action towards improving parks and playgrounds in the North Higf- lands then our work has not been in vain"
 MT. swenson said: 'All credit for mak- ing this pretty little park should go to Mrs. W. J, Roddy. for she conceived the idea and eanvassed her neighbors for the .a,au Ia to nur rrtr s,taf hA nrlr We are now engaged fin putting fin miniature merry go around for the further r-rgsement of the children. and also the nonnHfai has sfi fef -he nromise of help and desislanca ffOrl 'ef1mtriqrt \ sih. sfly .a filftieanet a4 tHfir eisut fcf .afer and a Deties e1nirret plafs 1gpa
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