South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-01

First Public Recreation Ground
Completely Equipped Re-
suit of Cooperative Efforts
of Committees and Officials.

With the exception of a few details
plans are complete for the dedication
of the first public playground in South
Bend. This playground is the j. d.
oliver field and Will be formally open
ed to the public Saturday afternoon.
Work on the nine acre tract has been
going on for the past two months and
by Saturday the field. the apparatus
and the club house Will be ready Tor
inspection.
The complete program fer Saturday
afternoon was announced Thursday
by r. Il. Barnes, director of municipal
recreation. 1t includes speeches.
music, athletic events and the pres
entation of a flag and flag pole by the
Rotary club.
The program will open at o'clock
with a selection by the T. B. Polish
band. The remainder of the program
is as follows:
Capt. Edwin Nicar will present the
field in behalf of J. ID. Oliver.
Introduction of representative of
the Rotary club, by L. NJ. Hammer
schmidt, chairman of munlclpal rec
reation committee.
Address, by David l.. GulltoyIe OF
the Rotary club.
Address. by Mayor Fred w. Keller
in behalf of the city of South Bend.
Address. Education and Recrea-
ton" by l.. j. Montgomery, super
intendent of public schools.
Address The People of the Sixth
Ward and the Council Councilman
John SmOger.
and flag raising. under the auspices
of the Rotary club.
Acceptance address, by the muni-
cipal recreation committee, by l.. NJ.
Hammerschmidt
America" by assembled citizens.
This will conclude the formal dedl-
cation exercises.
Informal Program.
Two baseball games by Ward league
teams.
Exercises on the heavy apparatus
in mems outdoor gymnasium Dy
teams from the German and Polish
TURNER'S societies under direction OF
& & Knapp, playground director
Exercises on the childrens and
girls Fairgrounds by the children OF
the neighborhood. under direction OF
Miss Lillian Allen, women's play
ground director.
Result of Cooperation.
South Bends first public playheld
where both young and old may dispott
themselves all the year round was
r,ada rossible through the cooperative
offor+s of +. r. Barnes. his recreation
committee. the park board, Mayor
Keller and the city council ana the
hoard of education-in fact all the
citv's governing and educating ma
cbinerv worked for the project IL
heqan early in 1914 when a commit
tee was first appointed TO investigate
sta,,s to obtaining year round recrea-
tion for the city. II eliminated IN
the establishment of a municipal rec
reation committee and the introduc-
zion Of Mr.. Barnes as director Win
wears of experience behind MIN IN TINS
line Barnes Immediately started
r,ovenent toward getting play
grounds To illustrate his success All
tbat X necessary is 20 point out that
since the fall OF 1914 he has estab-
1isbed seven school Fairgrounds fully
.eo11iDped and crowned il with the blS
J. ID. oliver playheld.
Whom Rarnes anG his committee IS
sued their first report and suggested
a public playGeld ON the j. j. OllNer
6eid il met instant approval Inc
n,e,-or the councilmen. the school
board. the Rotary cluos and the paIN
boord recommended IL and shortly al
ter the council appropriated $3,oOV
for the eQuipping of the ground.
Location of Field.
Tho rlayfeld is located on the tract
- 1,r5 owned by the oliver estate,
bounded on the east by Laurel ST.,
on the south. north and west by the
7 al,o shore and Ganrd Trunk rail-
-,.~,s liz is nine acres in area. Two
diamonds. "a quarter mile
~,,nrinr track. two tennis courts vol
- bau courts. field for weight
vents and big club house contain
inc bathing and toilet facilities are
.bo features OF the playfield's equip
r1ent Turning apparatus OF all kinds
=, 10 found while especial care has
,,een taken 10 provide for she children
=, the vav of sand pits wading pools.
-,,-f,gs and slides. Two expert super
,-isors are in charge. For the men c.
r knapp has been employed and for
the Girls Miss Lillian Allen.