Evening star., 1921-07-10
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
Playgrounds.

A few weeks ago the only public
playground in the Columbia Heights
section Of this city, located at the
corner Of Park road and 14th street.
was reclaimed by it's owners for build
ing purposes. This space had been
used for number of years through
generous donation and it had been
equipped and was the scene daily OF
the recreation of at least 1000 chill
dren. When business need compelled
its withdrawal these children were
left without any place for exercise
and games under supervision. They
are now playing practically in the
streets. E.
In this situation the citizens OF Co
lumbia Heights have undertaken to
secure, II possDIe, Substitute play
ground, but they have realized that
the privation from which the chill
dren of their region suffer is not pecu-
liar to them, but is felt by children
in other parts of the city. So they
have proposed and called mass meet
ing Of the people Of the District. to be
held later, at which the demand OF
the people Of Washington for munich
pal Fairgrounds will be expressed.
The preliminary meeting is to be held
Thursday evening to plan the larger
meeting, at which representatives OF
all parts Of the District will, 1t is
expected, present their needs.
In this way it is hoped to set before
the Commissioners in the prepara-
ton of their estimates for the next
fiscal years appropriations and before
Congress the requirements Of the Dis
trict in this important matter.
Fairgrounds are necessity. In the
course Of the growth of this city
spaces that were formerly available
for the children's recreation have
been absorbed and covered with struc-
lures. The children have literally no
place but the streets for their exer-
else and amusements out Of doors,
save on the few established play
grounds that have been with difficulty
restored and preserved and which are
wholly inadequate in number. Several
Of these grounds are privately owned
and are used for playground purposes
only on sufferance. They may be
taken away at any time. - s.
Forty-three per cent Of the auto
mobile fatalities in. this District are
Of children under fifteen years Of age.
Most of these are the result Of chill
dren playing in the streets. They
play there because there is no other
place for them.
There should be public playground
within at least six blocks Of every home
tanned, if the Fairgrounds were prop
erly equipped and supervised, juvenile
fatalities in the streets would be re-
duced very greatly The health Of
the children would be improved.
Good citizenship depends upon the
character of the children. Unregulated
play exposes the children often to
pernicious influences. Under play
=
may be checked and eliminated
through correction. Children who get
their recreation on the Fairgrounds
are better behaved. make better cit
dzens. The money invested in well
equipped and supervised Fairgrounds
is an investment, paying a rich inter-
est return.
It is to be believed that II the real
needs are expressed at the meeting
that is to be held the Commissioners
will make strong recommendation to
Congress. And the hope is that on
the basis Of this recommendation
funds will be provided in the next Dis
trict bill for the provision Of play
grounds where they are required,
treating them as essential municipal
equipment, like the schools. the pro-
tective organizations and other mu-
nicipal necessities.