The Washington times., 1921-09-14
D. c.
PLAY AREA
IS URGED
Mrs. Rhodes Proves That the
More Recreation the Fewer
Child Arrests.

Noteworthy reductions in the ra-
Ito of arrests Of delinduents under
seventeen years of age, following
the installation of Fairgrounds. are
evident In the tenth annual report
Of the department of Fairgrounds
OF the District, submitted by the
director, Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes,
to the District Commissioners to-
day. + .
First Precinct Proof.
In the First precinct. where there
are no Fairgrounds, the ratio OF de-
hnquents for those under seventeen
years Of age, has been one to five.
In the Fourth precinct, where there
are two colored Fairgrounds and one
Tor white children, the ratios stand
l to 217 for whites, and ! to l39
Tor colored. In the Tenth precinct,
Where there are five white play.
grounds and no colored, arrests have
been ! to 400 for whites, and l to 20
for colored.
During the fiscal year, June 20,
1920, to July /, 1921, nearly 5000 900
children have been provided with
recreation facilities at the city's play
ures being 2,748,59S, a marked in.
crease over the previous years at
tendance. Increased interest of girls
in playground activities is indicated
by the participation OF 104,557 girls
In basketball games, and 140,239 in
schlag ball contests. Nearly 10000
children listened to story telling.
Swimming at the Municipal Pool
has attracted more than $4,000
youngsters through September l,
$500 more than last years total at.
tendance.
Capital at End of List.
Quite noticeable In the report is the
statement that of the twenty-five
major cities Of the country maintain
ing Fairgrounds, Washington ID at the
bottom Of the list In the point Of sal.
aries paid playground leaders. Twsnty-
two leaders are engaged ten months
on District Fairgrounds, twenty-five
for three months and an additional
twelve are employed on an average Of
three months during tho summer sea-
son, when attendance Is heaviest.
During the year the department has
lost two well located and equipped
Fairgrounds In the northwest section.
and has added three other smaller
grounds. Six sohoolyards have been
opened as Fairgrounds.
Recommendation submitted by the
director 10 the Commissioners are:
That the school Fairgrounds be un.
der the supervision Of the Municipal
Playground Department during the
summer vacation and on days when
school n not In session.
That schoolyards having playground
equipment b. used throughout tho
year for supervised play after school.
That more Federal reservations be
made available for supervised play.
Now Branch Libraries.
That branch libraries be opened on
Fairgrounds with children's books put
in circulation.
That public Playground be estab.
lished within walking distance Of
every homo In the city.
That additional provision be made
for swimming.
That shelter houses bs built on all
grounds now in operation.
That Fairgrounds be open and
lighted In the evening.
That a part Of the reservation
known N Judiciary Square be trans.
ferred by Congress to the Control Of
the District Commissioners to be used
for playground purposes. The exact
location of the section desired II that
part Of the square north from e street
extending to r street, between Fourth
and Fifth streets northwest.
That public-spirited citizens DO re-
minded that there 10 no gift that can
be made to the city Of greater use and
enjoyment with more lasting honor to
land for public playground.