New Britain herald., 1916-07-18
OVER 22,000 VISIT
 THE FAIRGROUNDS
Attendance for Opening Two Weeks Heaviest in Their History

The present season of the city play grounds promises to beat all previous records for attendance The two weeks just passed, have seen an attendance of over 22,0OO, this being an increase of 4.00O over that of the first two weeks of last year.
 This increased attendance means a greater demand for increased play fa- cll1tes. This problem is being met by the arrangement of play pro- gram that provides activity for all of the children, all of the time. It really means a careful scientific all lotment of time.
 The essential factor in this con- nection is, of course, the necessity of leadership at all times. Without it the playground offers nothing better than the unorganized play of the street and can never hope to realize it's possibilities as a factor in civic and moral training. The success of an efficient, trained play leader, is indicated by the large number of children that are drawn to the play ground.
 The industrial work is under the supervision of Miss Ringrose. Classes in sewing, basketry and raffiia, work are held. It is the hope of the man. agement that this department will serve practical end, as the children are here given help in making for themselves, aprons, caps, dresses and the like; and for their homes. laun- dry bays, sofa pillows, etc., as we'll as reed and raffiia articles of all sizes and varieties.
 Th1S less strenuous type of work is intermingled with a proper amount of physical activity, the classes being followed by recreative games, folk dancing and athletics.
 The folk dancing is showing marked advancements over former years. Miss Martha Rearden of Worcester Mass, a graduate of the New Haven School of Gymnastics, has been placed in charge of this departm and visits each play ground three times per week, one hour being devoted to folk dancing.
 Each playground has been equip ped with victrola or piano and phase of the work.
 Dancing is a, faVorite and healthful exercise for girls of all ages. Through the folk dance there are many op- portunities to educate the social and moral side of the child and direct the formation of right habits and high ideals of conduct. The types of dancing most desired are those that have historical value, such as many of the European and old Amer ican dances.
 A feature added this year that ranks with any other phase of play ground work in the power of produc- ing good results is story telling. The great possibilities for guiding the child's mind to the best of all liter ature Is through the medium of the story. The folk lore of all people has been transmitted largely through the verbal story. The story hour has come to have as large a place in the playground program as has any other feature It is an hour of restful, quiet following the strenuous activities of the day.
 The athletic program Is under the supervision Of J. F. Rourke. The girls, as well as the boys have their athletics and take part in the dashes and other events with as much vim as the boys. Inter-playground meets are held from time to time during the summer. Intra athletic contests are also held at each playground and the teams for the inter playground events are based on the results of these contests. Medals are awarded to both boys and girls who pass a, standard all-round test prescribed by the Playground and Recreation Asso- citation of America.
 At the midsummer festival to be held about August 1, an exhibition of many of the playground activities will be given. This will include athletic events, folk dancing, wand drill and many of the games that have proved popular on the grounds
 The kite flying contests. as planned at the beginning of the season, will be an added feature. The kites are to be constructed of a uniform pat tern, and results to be Judged by a consideration of the altitude attained together with the degree of angle formed by the string.
 Hand ball and squash ball courts are being contemplated and if room can be found each ground will have one of these courts. The smallness of the grounds has prevented the introduction of tennis, although on three of the grounds an effort is be- ing made to provide a place where this game may be played.