Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-20
PLAYGROUND work
GIVEN ATTENTION

The April issue of 1.-THE Play
ground" a monthly magazine pub
lished by the Playground and Recre-
alton association Of America. contains
some highly interesting data regard
ing the work which has been done
during the past year by the associ-
alton.
The compilation Of facts for the
1917 Year Book has involved CORE
spordence with approximately 1900
cities. 1860 of which have sent infor-
nation regarding conditions relating
to playground and recreation center
work, and many interesting facts were
received about recreational develop
ment in hundreds of cities.
The effect of the var on the recre-
alton movement in the United States
to all who have known the unfortun-
ate results in the allied countries of
letting down of the bars safeguarding
the physical well-being of the chill
dren and the leisure time activities
of the working girl and boy. The re-
ports received of r~ecreational activi-
ties conducted during 1917, the first
year of Americas participation in the
world war, are very encouraging in
their indication of increased develop
ment rather than retrenchment. Over
100000 more was spent last year
in America for Fairgrounds, recre-
alton centers and athletic fields than
during the year preceding the war.
OF the cities disseminating their
playground work during the past
summer only seven, two of which
were Canadian cities, indicate that the
work was abandoned because of the
stress of war. In one of these cities
the playground was turned over to
tho S0l1iorc in tho r,norI1 <uoSfn~
camp for recreational purposes and in
still another he ground was used for
drill by the men in training. In three
other communities gardening was
substituted for normal playground
activities. The official in charge of
of these cities reports, however.
that this plan was not successful and
that every effort will be made to re-
sumo playground work this year.
Last year there were So new cities
started playground work, an increase
gained centers. The report of the
work for 1917 shows hat 5O4 cities
maintained Fairgrounds during the
year under paid leadership. The re-
ports received on administration and
management indicate that 291 of the
4S1 cities sending complete informa-
ton. playground and recreation cen
ter work was administered wholly or
in part by some department of the
municipality. In 4S cities playground
and neighborhood recreation centers
were maintained by playground or
recreation commissions. Other cen
tiers were conducted by school boards,
city councils, departments of public
works, park boards and a number of
other public departments. In a num-
Der of cities the Fairgrounds are un-
der the supervision of local organi-
cations and in some instances. private
individuals.
One hundred forty-three cities re-
ported 629 Fairgrounds opened and
lighted evenings under leadership;
iiC reported an average attendance
of 55O.37l on these Fairgrounds. In
148 cities evening recreation work
was carried or in the schools. Eighty
nine cities reported buildings used
solely for recreation purposes. In %
cities streets were closed for play,
with play leaders in charge in 1S of
the cities. In 106 cities coasting was
permitted.
The splendid response which hum
dreds of busy playground workers and
officials have made to the requests for
information regarding the recreation
work in their cities, and the interest
they have taken in the cooperative
undertaking to further the recreation
movement throughout the country
augurs we'll for the future of the
work. The e which is coming
with it's uncertainties and readjust-
ments will make severe demands
upon the strength and devotion Of
the many individuals who as leaders
in the movement to safeguard the
birthright of Americas children must
take their stand together for the con-
%tinuation and enlargement of recre-
atiOnal facilities. %