Arizona republican., 1914-03-15

cities were not planned. they just grew, but nearly every one is mak- ing some sort of an effort to reshape it's most unattractive features into something more nearly conforming to it's present needles and tastes. In Chicago the playgrounds are pait of the magnificent. park systems; in Kansas City they have been enacted into the boulevard system; and St. Louis pulled down city block of tenements and built d playground in the heart of it's densest population. The plan and equipment of the playground itself must depend on the local needs and the municipal pocket piration of every playground archi- tect, but their cost is often prohibi- ! tive. The playground surfacing that is satisfactory for all climates and seasons it not yet found. All sorts of experiments are in progress. The essentials seem to be in progress base cinders or screenings, and top dressing of some sort As satisfac- tory as any is clay well rolled into the base, with thin layer of sand rolled into that. A sprinkIing of oil is sometimes added, but so far this is rather expensive.
 There should be a play field as large as the ground affords, to be used for ball, folk dancing and all sorts of games. A running track around the field is great addition. ! no ia J strong and simple Steel and con- crete are cheapest in the end Safe ty at any cost is cheap. For the little folks, sand piles, hammocks and swings.
 | Many games will suggest them selves, ball games in all their forms being the most popular. If these pail at times, there must be other sorts of activities to turn to. SImpIe indus trial work is probably the best Dur ing the hottest hours of hte day, es- pecially, most of the children are willing to sit down and weave rafia or read or carve up cigar boxes or sew, or make scrap books, or one of d hundred other kinds of work, which ] the director can think of A variety of simple materials should be on hand. A box of tools, good work manlike tools, is never ending source of pleasure as well as of use | fulness. The children should be en- couraged to bring materials from
 hOme-pictures. bits of cloth, card
 board; wall paper and such things not only lend variety to the industrial work. but teach the children the util-
 ization of what seemed waste mate
 rials. Continuity of effort and re- spect for workmanship-tw things the American laborer seems to be losing-these could not be better taught in set course of formal study than in the hot hours of a
 summers day under q playground shelter.
 Pure drinking water must be sup ipled, and d modern. sanitary bubble fountain is the best means. A wad- ing pool for the younger children is an unalloyed delight, but it must be so constructed that it can be emptied
 and cleaned often. Shower baths add
 not only to the pleasure of the chil- dren, but are a distinct assistance to the general health of the neighbor =
 hood. In construction they can vary from the most elaborate marble and nickel equipment to plain wooden shed with tin showers and an iron lsupply pipe run along the ground.
 If it is possible to give each child Ia garden, it certainly should be done
 A garden of his own is a wunuer and a delight, a lesson in ethics and in lpolitical economy all in one. The Ichild should hoe and rake his own garden-even if he cannot spade it
 should plant it, weed it, water it, tend
 lit, and reap it.
 The staff on the playground makes
 as much difference in the result as
 does the school staff in the efficiency
 of that institution. It should be se- tIected by similar standards, and the
 hours of work and salaries should be entirely comparable. Initiative, re- lsource judgment, firmness. sympathy
 common sense, sense of humor, and
 certain educational qualifications. are the first essentials of d playground
 director Two years of formal train
 ing beyond the high school is not toe
 much to ask as a foundation. and
 training in school of physical cul-
 ture, in a normal school. or in kin
 dergarten training school are great
 helps.
 It is absolutely essential that a di- rector should be able to inspire con | inI fay fair play. If he is not straight !. sport" if the children cannot be as- sured of q square deal in his de- cisions, the whole atmosphere of the grounds, the whole spirit of it is gone , The lack of this confidence in theii
 leader may be seriously detrimental s to the whole future of the children
 An unfair decision on the field may be their first dsillusion as to even
 handed justice The possession of this l confidence in this, the first public of Ificer they know intimately, may have
 a far-reaching effect on their future. , Now why should the smaller cities r and especially why should Phoenix have playgrounds?
 } In the first place we must have breathing places not so much now perhaps, as twenty years hence Bu now is the time to do our city plan l nong. to set aside certain spaces fO parks and recreation grounds, befor' f prices become prohibitive. By thi
 I do not mean country parks whicl ? call for car or automobile fare, anG : half day in which to enjoy them