New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-08
PLAYGROUND STREETS
New Plan Has Greatly Reduced
Number of Accidents.
the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
| Sir: Last summer I made the suggestion TO
the Mayor of setting aside certain streets IN
the city, especially in the coasested neighbor-
hoods, as playground streets" so tina, the
little ones would have some place where hey
could romp and play without the danger Of
being MANNED or killed. There had been much
agitation at the time in regard 10 suitable
Fairgrounds, some people suggesting the
cleaning up of vacant LOTS others advocating
the increase by the city CT the number OF
Ine;ghborhood Fairgrounds. but both Of these
excellent suggestions could not be carried out.
The Mayor approved OF my plan and re-
ferrcd il to the Police Commissioner with the
suggestion that it be given d trial. COM
missioner Woods also approved OF the dea
and last summer certain streets IN Aanha'-
tan and Brooklyn were closed to ;rahc be-
tween the hours of and each day. The
Commissioner felt that each playground
street should have a supervisor or play
leader" whose duty it would be 20 suggest
and lead the children in their games, the
supervisors 70 be appointed by the Play
ground Association and TO serve without re-
Enumeration.
This plan was a modification of my original
idea, which was TO close or certain streets
where traffic was light and conditions would
permit, such streets TO be closed from 5 a. m.
to D. m. by barrier OF rope supported BY
standards at each end and a small sign to be
placed in the centre reading about as fcl-
lows:
Playground street: This street closed r.
ing the hours between a. m. and m
Drivers of vehicles loading or unloading on
this block shall lead their horses by the
bride slowly and carefully and must leave
the block in the same manner without delay.
Automobiles and pleasure vehicles prohibited.
| Nv idea was 70 have the policeman on
whose post the playground street was located
I"supervse," inasmuch as he would wateh
for rowdyism / felt that the little children
would prefer 10 play in their own way WITH
the big officer near by keeping his eye over
/ them. This would take very little time Of
the policeman and would have salu'ary
effect on the big brothers who might become
rough in their games. The police officer as
/ signed to the block each day could put up
and take down these barriers, just as the
traffic policemen do now.
/ The Mayor and the Commissioner are 20
be commended for their promptness in giving
the idea a trial, and all interested are happy
to report that it has proven wonderfully sue
cessful The Commissioner reports that unaer
II the plan in effect last summer 80 per cent OF
the street accidents 10 children were eilm-ns''
cd and this summer he hopes 20 set aside one
hundred streets, whereas only twenty-five
were closed off last year. The drawback mas
been a lack Of supervisors, young men OF
women who will volunteer their services.
The number OF lives lost annually no me
city in street accidents is appalling during
the month of April 1884 persons were in-
jured by accidents on the streets, 1906 we're
injured in the day and 5SS during the nisn]
Of the total number 68S were under sxteeh
years Of age. During May. in New YorNCiV
alone, automobiles killed 80 persons, Of whom
IA we're under sixteen years of age.
The street affords the great majority o.
children the only means of obtaining heai'h
and recreation, and we should provide oe".
with some measure Of protection. wouis
suggest that the various boards Of trade AnD
Ineighborhood associations take up this msF
ter with the police inspector Of their respes.
tive districts, under whose jurisdiction mess
street Fairgrounds have been placed.
THOMAS +. DAILY.
i New York, July ., 1915.