Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-13
ASSOCIATION SEEKS
PLAYGROUND SITES
A Hundred Wcll.Equippcd Rccrc.
alton Plots for Children Aim
of Organization

Aiming at 100 recreation plots for Phila.
depha children, the Fairgrounds Associa-
ton is looking for available locations in
which to set UP sand boxes, swings, slides
and other paraphernalia to delight hearts OF
the youngsters,
was started In a cemetery at American and
Brown streets and during the hrst season
5000 children played there. Since then
the st. Johns playground has been enlarged
and improved until it has become we'll
established center.
The Fairgrounds Association Is anxious
to get the temporary OF vacant lots In
congested parts of the city and will improve
the property and make a playground for the
summer without cost TO the owner.
The Society of Friends gave the use OF
the grounds at Fourth and Arch streets, the
lot At Hicks and Spruce streets has been
lent by Henry =. Coke and a lot at Broad
and Christian streets by John Wanamaker.
II other properties are lent the Playground
Association will equip them and make them
ready in every way for the children
I'VE build Fairgrounds under elevated
railroad tracks, in vacant lots. anywhere
that there is space TO play games, says
Miss Margaret Williamson, who directs the
work of the association, "and we put a
worker in charge to direct the play, TO tell
sorieS to the children and take care of them
generally.
Sometimes the children stay at the play
ground all day-even bring their lunch with
them Sometimes their mothers bring them
in the morning when they leave for work
because they know that the children will be
safer IN the playground than they would be
alone at home.
The annual report OF Joseph Wood Wag-
ner the president, shows that the children
used the Fairgrounds $1,000 times during
1915
The report also mentions the temporary
severing of relations between the Play
grounds Association and the municipal
Board of Recreation, due to the political ap-
pointment of Edward r. Gudehus as super
visor Of recreation, man without experience
in this work, it is alleged.
These two organizations have worked to-
gether, tho municipal board building perma-
nent halls, gymnasiums and large recreation
centers, while the Fairgrounds Association
has been able to establish Fairgrounds on
temporary sites at short notice and where
the need was pressing.
At the annual meeting there were the fol-
lowing elections: Mr.. Wagner, president !;
Miss Mary Blakiston, vice president; Law
renee johnson, Jr.. secretary Otto r. Nal
ery, treasurer; Marshall S. Morgan, assist
ant treasurer and Mrs. T. Wstar Brown,
3D. assistant secretary.
Board of directors-Miss Mary Bal<iston,
Mrs. T. Wistar Brown, Sd, Mrs. H. r. Cart
wright Jr., Sydney T. Clark. DR.. Oliver p.
COrnman, William de krafft lhOmaS X.
Elcock Jr Mrs. William T. Elliott, Henry
Frazer Harris, Montgomery Harris. Law
renee johnson, Jr., Miss Margaret A. Len
mig. Mrs. Stacy 3. Lloyd, Mrs Louis G. Ma
dera. Mrs. George L. Harrison, Jr. Mrs.
Edward K Rowland. DR.. r. TAFT Mckenzie,
Otto T. Mallery. Marshall S Morgan John
o. Plat, Miss, Sophia L. Ross Miss Marion
f. Savage, Dri William A. Stecher, Thomas
Stokes, Mrs Edward r. Stotesbury, Isaac
c. Sutton, joseph Wood Wagner Dr. George
Woodward Dr.. "A. Duncan Yocum and How
ard Fl. YoCum