Evening journal., 1916-01-13
S4,39O CHILDREN
USED Fairgrounds
Annual Report OF Work Dur
ing Year Is Submitted to
Park Commission
BETTER EQUIPMENT
AGAIN URGED

Miss Jennie NJ Weaver, supervisor
of city Fairgrounds. presented her an
nual report to the Board OF Park Com
missioners yesterday afternoon lt
contains interesting statistics of play
ground activities. II follows:
The playground season Of 1915 ex-
tended from July 6 TO August % I'M
elusive During this time daily SUI
pervision was given TO seven park
Fairgrounds. also to those maintained
hy the Wilmington Playground AssO
citation, the Washington Heights Play
ground Association. and other civic
agencies. making i'm all eleven play
centers.
''The attendance on park play
grounds was as follows: Delaware.
25.603; Kirkwood, 5000; Walnut,
II 674: Conrad. 10. 1886. Landlith. s.
$50: Pine, 6.460: Chapel, 6,007; total
S4 $40 or allowing for rainy days,
the daily attendance for each morn
ing and afternoon session averaged
2.066
"The same senersl plan for daily
activities was carried out as hereto
fore. For the boys the mornings we're
devoted to instruction on apparatus,
in athletics and manual training; the
afternoons to competitive sports. in
ter-playground contests and ball
games.
Each playground played a series
OF "a ball games which brought about
wonderful interest and enthusiasm on
the part of both players and specta-
tors The games ended In a tie be-
tween Conrad and Kirkwood, Conrad
winning the pennant In the second
series of three games.
"One hundred and thirty boys com
peted in the athletic badge contest as
approved by the National Playground
Association. Boys of the east side
qualified at Kirkwood. those of the
west side at Conrad.
Eight ribbon contests were held
on each ground. These we're weekly
ents and always brought out many
TO show their training and skill in
p6le vaults. high Jump, chinning,
standing broad jump and running.
zone inter-payground swimming
contest was held in the Brandywine
pool 60 boys competing.
Girls were taught singing games,
gymnasticc baseball and other vigOr-
ous and healthy sports. but nothing
competitive was held betwees, play
grounds. Special classes in sewing
were organized at Kirkwood and
Walnut
Swimming was taught at Della
more Forty-fve girls registered and
attended classes twice a week
"a swimming class for boys under
81 nj "a
Kirkwood Forty registered and at
tended regularly twice a week.
Woodwork was taught at Walnut
Kirkwood and Chapel Articles made
were bird houses. wagons. taborets
and box furniture. the material having
been furnished or paid for by the boy
rocerinp the instruction.
''rennis was featured al Kirkwood
Walnut. Conrad and Deiamore Final
tournaments we're held at Kirkwood
and Walnut.
"Day outings. either TO a farm ol
10 the woods have always been con
sidered an important part Of our rec
reation plan. This season 4SS chit
dren participated In these outings
and 12O enjoyed two or three days
OF camping al the playground sha'h
above Rockland
"a special program for parents aho
visitors was given ON each sround ~
the close Of the season. HandiworF
was exhibited and a demonstration ol
Games given. AZ neiamore an AFTER
noon NJ dramatic play entertainer
large and appreciative audience Fol
this music was provided hv the WI
mineton Playground Association
thereby adding TO the charm OF ih'
oui-of-door staging.
"No record can ever be made o
the many ntangibley results that arr
SO significant in eveis effort ot human
beiicrment Play has distinct pur
pose in the life Of the child. Pla'
in iss proper relation is cducationa
as we'll as recreaiional.
s'In conclusion I cannot emphasize
too strongly the need Of better equip
ment and facilities TO make recreation
permanent civic activity.
Respectfully submitted
Jennie NJ Weaver,