Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-30
ORGANIZED PLAY.
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lSlOux CITY JOurnaLJ
The success Of the special play
grounds tax at the recent school eiec-
ton has evoked some grumbllng, based
In the main on Misunderstanding OF
the scope Of the Fairgrounds move
ment. The burden OF local complain
ing 10 that 1t Is all right for congested
cities like New York and Chicago to
DO spending money for public play
grounds. but It 10 folly to be making
similar investments where play space
Is SO readily accessible as in Sioux
City.
Even II the movement meant no
more than providing play room for
the children this line OF criticism could
not be sustained. 1t is true there are
vacant lots In Sioux City that can now
be used for Juvenile recreation with
out expense to anybody. But 1t is also
true that the number Of such breath
Ing spots in the "close In" district has
been steadily diminishing The boys
Of today have to go farther to dnd q
suitable baseball or football field than
the boys OF five years ago. II the Sioux
City building boom during the mex. five
years maintains the pace OF the last
five years the Beginning Of the end Of
the vacant lot Fairgrounds will be IN
sight. Obviously 1t would not be good
economy to defer purchases until the
need for public Fairgrounds became
urgent II the waiting meant doubling
or trebling OF the cost.
But the furnishingof convenient play
centers Is only the foundation Of the
modern playground movement In
towns Of all sizes. Upon this founda-
ton It is planned to rear q super
structure that vii serve as q good Sec
ond to the public school system In
providing wholesale training for the
young. The idea Is to utilize the play
instinct by developing 1t in systematic
fashion instead OF allowing It to run
wild. Organization n the central fac
tor Of the Fairgrounds plan. Enough
has come from the principle where 1t
has been applied to offer assurance OF
benefits out Of all proportion to the re.
quired Investment Of money. brains
and energy.
The public playground is An In
fluence for democracy. 1t brings AL
the children Of the neighborhood to-
gether. on an equal footing. They are
attracted because It's facilities for run
are more elaborate than can be FOUND
elsewhere. In this way boys gangs
are broken up and girls "cltques
eliminated. 1.-THE public playground
offers appliances that can be used lot
muscular development with the least
possibility Of harm. But this Is on'!
a small part Of its attraction. The most
promising part 10 found In the way IN
which games are brought under inte'-
likent supervision. It IL the duty OF -Ee
play supervisor to encourage the play
ing of games that will be helpful IN tne
mental and physical development OF
the children. That interest can %
added rather than subtracted from ths :
play by such direction can be attesteo
by anyone who has had experiences
with Fairgrounds work. Parents Wnoso
children have participated IN Wen
planned plays and folk dances neeo NJ
testimony az to TINS.
Not the least important feature OF
orxanized play is the ease with "hir..
principles OF sportsmanship ana !a'f
play may be implanted IN tho la
questionable minds Of the young. TIC
informal playground often Is run w
the "neighborhood bully" and Tue
results are rather melancholy from S1'
ethical standpoint. In the wen con
Quoted public playground physics.
strength and selhshness necessarily
must give way to regulations naseo
m the interests of the maoof'ty.
Taoder.hip. Of course. is developed IN
Az various lines Of competition Du'
It must be leadership based On so:
potency and skill. and 1t must NOT os
Exploited to humiliate the weaker ano
'eI In brief. the object Of the play
grounds movement 1t to extend tne
nr,nciple OF the public schooiroo.
into the outdoor life OF the cnl.o
That substantial Dement'S for socle.s
can he gained in this way Is no 'ohset
debated In educational circles.