The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-04-13

4 - eAetsAH "a t5AthH9httHs ttittt AttN
tmost attractive little parks. whfh
Twas situated in a better Locality than
1.-THE Others Here many children
from the more cultured homes mingls
Iediwiths those OF less advantages. The
formers gentle manners had a soft
ening influence ON the little street
urchlps, who, in turn, often could
teach their more favored brothers
lessons Of industry and bravery.
This park was near a beautiful
branch library, which was valuable.
asset: Practically the same actiyf-
ties were enjoyed here as at ormesly
park but it was more splendidly
equipped.
Several OF the big corporations
such as the steel works and the Ma
tional Tube works, equipped grounds
and paid for the. director and assist
ants. who were under the supervi-
sion of the Play Ground Association.
"onc ground which appealed to
me as being possible for any village
or town in our country was just a
long. sloping field. with several trees
on 1t and fifty dollar equipment.
which consisted of shed with a
set all the way around It. Three
sides of it where the children might
gather around the director for songs
and storiesNWhcn 1t was too damp to
sit on the ground. At the side Of IL
were two sand boxes and chest in
which to keep some materials, such
as dozen pairs of scissors, some toy
knitters and weaving looms, clothes
pins from which dolls were made,
some yarn, n few flags, drum, a half
dozen little spades and red tin pals.
building blocks and rope for tug
of-war.
Here as many as ninety children
often collected most OF whom were
under twelve years of iige. - 2!
Here with al supervisor and her
assistdne'the children learned ihafiy
erceilentigames and some folk dances
They were encouraged to bring son!
ihtylfr6m home 10 be done there. "aa
'u''I wish there were time to tell volt
ofethe contests between the different
play grounds. One was held al
shenley Park oval aud II you could
only have seen those small lads with
every article of self-forgotten and all
of their energy bent toward making
their tenn win. And the girls. too
were no less eager TO take the hon
ors for.their ground.
And how beautiful they looked
as they tripped lightly over the grass
In those old folk dances, such as the
German Clap Dance, which we saw
IN Hansel and Gretel last fall az I
remember correctly. and how grace
fnl they were in the Danish Shoe
makers Dance and in the Ace of
Dtamonds-those old dances which
have come 10 usrfroyl the merry
makings of Europe.
After hearing of these NAV
grounds and some of them with so
| ShHtpHiSuL, uueS one IN Fair
mont seem such an immense under
taking? when already we have bccn
told that there is no reason why orr
nigh school ground cannot be used
Tor 1t and possibly part of the adj
Joining lot, for at the rear OF tho
building is fairly good ground for
games. This is shaded partly by the
building and the large trees on tho
hillside. Also the domestice are and
science rooms. The long hall and
a pitno may be used.
Here, under the direction of n
supervisor and several assistants. tho
children might have an opportunity
Tor free play, and yet there would be
some ono, to see that 1t was whole
some play; or there might be sewing
weaving of baekets, painting or do.
ing some construction work possibly
a little wood carving and the small
er folk might learn to make furni-
ture from paper or of twigs for their
doll house, or mold objects from clay.
do some ruifian work, and kite MAX
ing.
Perhaps there might be. a little
hatareGs study tor abb eciatioI 81 The,
thngs aroqlg tGSmt and fntersPsrs: