The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-07

series of monuments on one side and
keep or the grass signs on the other,
are not. for the people," said Z. B. De
Groot Of the Playground Association,
of Chicago. addressing the opening ses-
| sion yesterday afternoon. No park
can be truly a peoples park that fences
| In the dead ones and fences out the
| live ones"
| Mr.. De Groot spoke on tho subject,
Arc the Parks for the People, or the
People for the Parks?' and appealed
to the city park comm ssions to human
lie their open places in order that the
tired population may find in them real
recreation. The so-called artistic ar
Management Of parks, said the speaker
does not meet the greatest need of the
greatest number, and is the logical OUT
growth Of the fallacy that parks are
to be used only through the eyes.
I'VE need to realize" said Mr.. De
Groot. that the patrons of the parks
come not alone from the laboring
classes that have spent the day In
manual toll and are able to find ade-
Quate recreation in merely looking upon
beautiful things. Fully as many come
from the professional and clerical
classes. and these need place in which
to give play to tho coarser muscles,
which have been idle during the day"
Against Park Concessions.
l
should contain adequate provision for
tennis, baseball, football. oroquet, and
| be provided with sand bins and wad-
ing ponds for the children. The grass
should be free as the air. There should
| be a constant attempt to paraphrase
and not to formalize nature He de-
| plored the folly often committed In the
name of art of erecting a S250,o0o
casino and then allowing a $40 band
to desecrate II with the tawdriest OF
ragtime airs.
The leasing of concessions to pri-
vate interests. thought the speaker. was
| foreign to the idea of true public
park. IL it was an enterprise deserv-
| Ing municipal regulation, he said, the
| city itself should rent the boats and
provide the food and see that such
conveniences are provided at the low
est cost Parks. he said. should be
conducted for the benefit of the people
and should not be exploited.
! Mr.. De Groot urged the founding of
Legitimate attractions. in order to- i'm
Erove the night attendance Nothing is
done now. he said. to encourage at
tendance at night, with the result that
the parks have como to be favorite
haunts of vice. He suggested prom
erly regulated dances and games and
| the lighting up of the dark places as
possible remedies.
Evening Recreation Centres.
/ properly directed diversions for the
idrSe aoult populatlon that spends the
| daylight hours i'm the factories ac-
cording to Lee F. Hammer. who spoke
at the evening meeting. must eventu-
ally become n necessary carollary of
tho recreation movement Mr.. Hammer
| Is the director of the department OF
recreation OF the Russell Sage Found
alton. New York.
In the class that would be benefited
by evening recreation centres. Mr..
| a n Had he re
sexes engaged during the day in in
dustrial pursuits, and even the pupils
of the high schools. The playground
| movement az Ear as It has gone, he
said. concerns itself primarily with
providing recreation facilities for
children. The benefits must be ex-
tended to grown boys and girls who
have only the early evening to devote
f! to play or diversion.
| Mr.. Hammer quoted from. rep&-ts OF
! special commissions to the effect that
between the hours OF and IL O'Clock
in the evening are committed so pig
cent OF all offenses against society.
Such a state Of affairs, he thought
should convince any one that there is
provide interesting and properly SUI
peJvised diversion for tho young work
ingmen and women of the cities
Must TIC Attractive.
All projects in thu objection Will
prove a failure, he warned, unless they
/ will provide diversions which Will
| compare favorably with the CONNER
cial attractions. A properly directed
community centre with a clubhouse, in
which could be held dances, entertain
| ments, parties and literary and dra-
matte diversions. he thought, would
partially meet the want.
Miss witt Scores.
Chairman De Groot presented Miss Lucy
Witt. OF this city. who told tale from
Uncle Remus'' with a faithfulness TO Ola
lect and information that caused the large
applause continued even after she left the
platform. but 1t failed to WOO her back for
Rev. j. j. curran. of tho Church of tho
Holy Saviour, Wi'hesbnrre. Pa. spoke on
The Sefas ea int
In its deepest Significance. he said meant
the substitution of wholesome outdoor d.
amusement offered by the coarse representa-
lions OF tho cheap vaudeville theatres. lts
progress. he Thought. reflected public
upon amusement OF the cleaner type.
In the mining regions of Pennsylvania,
Is taking nrm hold. Cities like Scranton and
WtlkesbaEe are appropriatlng, literally for
the development OF playground and recrea
The Play Of Girls.
what he eonsIdsrsd the sosms u reoseatien
desirable in schools for girls. In play, as in
tho man since she inyarisSiy plays for the
reward to follow. Girls, unlike men. he said.
not by Its competitive worth. n Z.
summing up his recog,nSndations. Mr..
atris' scfoot, u r. ic bioh srs .,n,