Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-08

proved itself a factor for good In the
community it has developed with won
derful rapidly. Visitors prominent In
this line of work have frequently COM
mended the grounds here on the COM
pleteness of equipment, simplicity OF
management and the economic basis on
which they are run. 80.
The opening Of Washington's first
playground goes back to, 1902. In that
year Senator McMillin, in his report on
the Improvement of the park system In
the District, urged the establishment of
a general ground for recreation for old
and young on the space back OF the
Monument. He dwelt on the use" of the
large nunnber-of parks merely to beau
tify the connection between the various
departments. of the government, and
cited the need Of preserving in city life
passages of rural scenery and spaces
adapted to various forms of recreation.
The Washington common he sug-
gested as an appropriate name for the
ground to be used, and urged the es-
tablishment Of ball grounds. tennis
great stadium arranged for athletic
contests and fireworks display. Shortly
afterward some boys in the southwest
obtained permission from the Commits
old pipe yard at 7th and N streets.
for ball field. The government rented
this lot for the storage of stone. which
was cleared Off by the District property
clerk and turned over to the boys.
Several private contributions were
given to furnish this place as rec
reation ground, and Senator McMillin
donated 5000 with which to provide
swings, seesaws, travelling rings and
other apparatus for the amusement of
the children. "A similar ground was
opened for co1ored children at LIST and
IL streets, and then appeals went out
for. more funds and more Fairgrounds.
The Associated Charities, with the
show the evils to which vast numbers
of children were exposed through lack
Of proper playgrourds by means OF
photos, incidents and stereopticon
great deal in, promoting favorable SEN
timent toward the movement. It's eff
forts were repeatedly approved and
advocated by the Commissioners. A
campaign then followed to acquaint the
public with the object Of the work, and
for this the newspapers, ministers,
schools and athletic associations were
Of assistance.
DR.. Henry 8. Curtis, director of the
work in New York and an authority
ON the subject, lent his aid in select
ing and training those whom the COM
mittee chose to direct the play. Presi-
dent Roosevelt was an enthusiastic
supporter Of the movement, and besides
recommending it to Congress in his
annual message wrote personal letter
to those in charge. -.
Then. with the assistance of an ap-
propriation from Congress-. the Wash
inston Playground Association was
formed. 1t opened new grounds either
on government owned property, or on
reservations authorized by Congress.
BY permission of the board of educa-
ton it also made use Of certain school
grounds during the summer season. In
1909 the school authorities, who have
been leaders In the movement. decided
to raise funds of their own accord and
operate grounds on the school premises
under their own direction. For this
purpose funds were collected by the
children and: the work was put under
the charge of the physical culture de-
partment of the schools.
That is the general plan on which the
Fairgrounds have been conducted since
that date They make two distinct
ella sses of Rrounds-school and munich
pal. The former receive some assist
ance from Congress, but the sum Is SO
small that practically all the expenses
are taken from the fund raised each
year by the children. This money Is
collected during the term by permis-
sion OF the board, and comes through
voluntary contributions or by lunches.
games or candy sales held in the differ
emit buildings, The salaries Of the play
ground instructors are drawn entirely
from these. contributions. and they also
furnish a large part Of the money need
cd for supplies.
The municipal grounds. are In charge
of the District authorities and are kept
open for about nine months Of the
year. They are. supported entirely by
congressional appropriations. This plan