Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-10
BEST YEAR OF FAIRGROUNDS
Shown by Reports of Local WorS-Over 16,OOO Children Bene6ted-Supervisor Welt Recommends Securing New Grounds-President J. B. Stanton Reelected Stereopticon Talk by j. Herbert Wilson, National Field Secretary.

better results than if they attended the latter
 Fourth-In these same two grounds there should be installed a wadins pool. Drainage system being already installed on the Lake street ground would eliminate large part of the cost I feel the demand for this Is great, in view of the fact that so many of the tots who gather are not given any attention as regards bathing The parents are unable to take them to the beacheS-they cannot go themselves.
 Fifth-The rate of pay for the play ground instructors is too low, and should be raised as soon as possible.
 In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the committee for their valuable assistance: to the instructors who gave all they had at their com to the city department who steadily gave their cooperation. I also pa preciated the kindness of the many firms who made many gifts and to those who volunteered their services for the welfare of the playground.
 President Stanton's Report.
 President Stanton then read his re- port as follows:
 Members of the Fairgrounds Associa-
 tion and Friends:
 The reports given cover the years work so fully that no detailed s,ate- ment is needed from your presiien at this time. The importance of the fact, and the rapid increase in the number of cities and communities maintaining playgrounds and recrea- tion centers is almost phenomenal. We are proud that our city has a part in this important work of conservation of the energy of childhood, the con- servatlon of power and health more precious than the wealth of our forests and mountains and fields. and the de- velopment of a noble, self controlled and self respecting citizenship.
 The playground has come to stay, The experimental stage is long since passed. The work of the public play ground supplies d need. Communities are rapidly being aroused to the fact that permitting the coming men and women to ran at large. unheeded and unhindered, during the formative veal 8 of their lives is the cause of a large part of our juvenile offenses and O. much expense that might be avoided. The work of the playground is pre- venttiye. It provides natural outlets for superfuous energy otherwise too often misdireeted.
 ment of local work are well marked out by those who have had expo enc 8 and training in this work. ihsIe is au question as to what should De u2Ge. 1t Is simply a question of ways GHt means. This has been our local qu ss- uGi. The means at the disposal oi th* heard of directors have been IinIr cd. ;t,:d this alone has limited the work O. lEl association.
 The year just passed has been our best, but we have by no means been able to do all that we would have liked to do or that should be done to adequately provide playground facili- ties for the boys and girls of our city and town.
 Our campaign for membership and the Italian flower market increased our funds materially and made 1t pos sib1e to place our work on a satisfac tory basis with a director who devoted his whole time for the season to this work.
 To the ladies who managed the flower market we are indebted not only for the substantial financial aid but In the work of the playgrounds by the singing and dancing at the sale and also on the streets and lawns by the school children before and after the sale It was a delightful affair from beginning to end and will not soon be forgotten. An appropriation by the city made possible much needed ac- at the Lake street grounds. Here we have room for the development of a first class play ground. A large sum or money Hl1B Tt be invested here in equipment and this investment would yield a large divi- dend. Trees are needed for shade, turf should be laid, some plots seeded to grass. seats provided and other steps taken to make this place attractive as a resting place or a recration place as well as a play center
 The seasons work with MT. Welt in charge as director and supervisors in sharge during the whole day was carried on very successfully.
 The great need felt was that of arger pIaygrounds, particularly in Greeneville and on the West Side. The smaller children can be taken care of on school grounds or on snail lots that arc available but the older boys, who want to play baseball and foot ball, and who must be provided for, are clamoring for place to play from which they will not be chased away.
 Our association is under no expense for grounds. The town school com mittee allows the use of the school grounds and the Shetucket company gave the use of a lot in Greeneville for the children of that section. Most of the school yards are, of course, too small for adequate playground work, but as the association has not suff1- cient funds to purchase sites or even to rent the use of school yards is our only alternative for the present.
 Is 1t too much to hope that some of our citizens may see in this need of large fields for the proper development of this work an opportunity to estab-