Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-06-07

strung ana nervous people, possessing
commercial shrewdness, and scientific
genius, but lacking in physical vigor.
The play instinct is known to be
the most universal, the most impor-
tant and on the whole the most whole
some instinct of childhood. 1t is alb
solutely necessary for the proper de-
velopment of the child both physically
and mentally. It has also a special
moral significance. Boys and girls
live to play and thru the play the fut-
ure citizen is moulded. A victory
over dishonesty in play will build a
character that will win victory in
business or. politics. We respect and
admire a good loser and what is more
important a good winner. 1t is DR.. Cab
OF who says, 1.-THE essence of good
sport, obedience to rule, ability to be
a modest winner and cheerful loser is
also the essence of self government,
good service and spiritual growth"
AS matter of fact our first play
grounds were the English town COM
mons, planted in America in the early
part of the seventeenth century, so
that our first play grounds were an
inheritance Of the England of Eliza
bethan Age. It is the firm belief of
every Bostonian that the American
revolution was brot on because, Gen.
eral Gage would not allow the boys
to play ball on the common.
Statistics already prove that in
neighborhoods where play grounds
are located there is a decided decrease
in juvenile arrests, accidents and I'M
timely deaths. This means that we
will need fewer reform schools, pris-
ons and hospitals. In this case the
ounce of prevention Is worth many,
many times the pound Of cure. Soc.
ial settlement workers and philan-
thropists were the first ones to sup
port this same movement. Now not
only the cities but also the states are
legislating in their favor. Some OF
the cities were quicker to realize this
need than others. Philadelphia was
probably a pioneer city in United
States to carry on this movement.
The play ground movement has spread
rapidly. Thirty-five cities started
play grounds in 1910, forty cities in
1911, forty-three cities in 1912. One
hundred and eighteen cities starting
new play grounds in those three years.
Millions Of dollars are spent annually
for buying and equfpping new play
grounds and for making provisions
for play and recreation.
Just few years ago the city of
Chicago secured thru the state legis-
lation the means to provide for TWEEN
ty-eight new play grounds. Chicago
has several play grounds all with
complete equipment. This is the Chi
cago plan in brief. There are four
groups requiring different kinds of
equipment. First the season sports
skating, hockey, relocating, water
sports-rowing, swimming, fishing and
canoeing. The second group has the
equipment for the games like base
ball, golf and tennis. The third group
contains the field and track athletics
hammer and discus throwing, high
jump. The fourth group contains the
equipment for the gymnastic and play
apparatus-wading pools, basket ball,
volley ball, field houses containing
club rooms, gymnasiums and bathing
quarters. Seats and benches are pro-
vided for those that accompany the
children.
This movement is not confined to
the large cities alone, small villages
and rural communities are recognize
play. In Winnebago county in this
state in one of the consolidated
schools splendid playground has
been equipped. Here the teacher acts
as supervisor and in this way can
help to mould the child's character
while at play for here only fair and
honest games are promoted.
Ipswich, Massachusetts, a town of
six thousand, about the size Of Will
mar, has realized the recreation needs
in it's community. The city has put
two thousand one hundred dollars in
the play field and found it money
we'll invested. The high school boys
put up foot ball goals and bleachers,
marked out base ball diamonds. Ten
mis- courts were also laid out. Thus
everyone has an opportunity to enjoy
some sort of recreation. The churches
of Ipswich as we'll as the Y. M. C. A.
have co-operated with the city and
schools in the attempt to teach young
people Of all ages the right use Of leis-
ure time.
When we consider the benefits and
advantages which other cities have
experienced by the establishment of
Fairgrounds the question comes to
uS|1S "4AudI Ill u00U VI SuCu play.
grounds? What has this community
done to foster and direct the play in
stinct of our children. The only play
grounds we have are Homewood Park
and the small park near the railroad.
Both of these have several swings but
no other equipment for the recreation
Of the children. Nevertheless the
boys and girls gather here and at any
seasonable time these places are
crowded with children enjoying their
sports. What pleasure might not they
derive from these same small pieces
of ground IL there was more equip
ment. A complete gymnastic outfit
can be bought for q comparatively
small sum and this would prove a
splendid thing for the boys and girls
who need and must have recreation.
There are several places In Will
mar which would make splendid play
grounds and would give all the child
rem of the city the same privileges.
Homewood Park and the Assembly
Park both located on the lake shore
could be used to good advantage for
the season sports. zss
Then xe haye The play ground near.
"a