Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-29
MISS SOPHIA LEWIS ROSS
On Public Recreation Work

THE three objects of the recreation pro.
i gram Of the Department of Public Wei.
fare are health, amusement and teaching
or rather inculcating-the proper spirit in
according to Miss Sophia Lewis Ross. chief
Of the Bureau of Recreation OF the de-
partment.
"A great many persOns,' said Miss Ross,
apparently think that the work Of the
Bureau of Recreation is for children alone,
but this is by no means the case; In fact:
some of the most enthusiastic followers OF
our programs are persons who are nearing
middle age. and there are some who have
even passed that point Recreation. as pro.
vided by q municipality, is spreading ana
being developed all over the country, differ
ing In minor matters according to the 10.
cality, but all with one main object-recre-
alton which makes for health and happiness,
under proper supervision.
Philadelphia's Equipment
"It has been conclusivey shown that the
formal gymnasium drills are not enough and
games, genuine play which unites as well as
enlivens people, are essential. The oppor.
tunities to form social clubs, hold dances,
competitive games, etc. under the super
vision Of competent leaders. are all due to
the children and young people OF any COM
munity. @
philadelphia has a good equipment, the
units Of which are conducted by the Bureau
Of Recreation, which is one of the bureaus
of the Department of Public Welfare. We
have ten centers with buildings. seventeen
Fairgrounds with equipment and inclosed,
and three Fairgrounds used during the sum-
mer, in addition to which there are two
grounds supervised. There IlsO are eleven
sites under the jurisdiction of the bureau,
but not improved or used. although plans
for the Improvement of some Of these sites
are now in the course Of preparation. Thus,
summarized. the equipment of the city shows
twenty three Fairgrounds and recreation
centers conducted all the year around. five
Fairgrounds used during the summer only
and eleven playground sites not used in any
manner. There were thirty-two play
grounds in active operation during the sum.
mer of 1921.
A Fully Equipped Center
"a recreation center fully equipped
| means that 1t contains buildings with a
ymnasium, shower baths, auditorium and
club rooms. The grounds are laid out with
baseball diamonds. tennis courts, soccer
wading pools and beach and shelters. There
are Fairgrounds with temporary or partly
| eauipped buildings. also Fairgrounds with
grounds equipped but without buildings.
| "Thcre also are twenty -thre, swimming
| pools. and these are dedicated to the fullest
| public use during June, July, August and
September. In the centers and on the play :
grounds opportunity is offered for either In :
diyidual or group training in all branches Of
| athletics, gymnastics and social activities.
During the summer months these activities
are held out Of doors. the grounds being open
from 8 A. Nj. to 10 p. NJ. On all the
| grounds where the area Is sufficient baseball
| diamonds and soccer fields are laid out.
! Basketball and volleyball are games in
| which there is continuous interest, and ten.
mis- is provided for both boys and girls, tour.
| naments being held during the summer
months. The younger children have games
| of lower organization, occupation work,
wading pools, sand piles and the like.
The Winter Work
."These are all out of doors sports and Ol
| course cannot be done In the winter months
II is during the late fall and the winter
| however. that the recreation buildings come
| into the fullest use and the club and game
| rooms are freely used. Gymnasium classes
| for both sexes are conducted, and thOs,
taking this instruction range in age from
| seven years to twenty lone and beyond
Glasses in folk, social and esthetic dancing
1--WE encourage the Boy Scouts. the Cir
Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls to hOlt
their meetings In the recreation centers
buildings. and besides these mothers meet
ings. baby clinics, parents associations an,
many other organizations are enrolled ant
always made welcome.
christmas. May Day, the Fourth o
July, Labor Day and Halloween all are ap
propriately celebrated in the recr alton cen
ters, and Oh virtually all of these holiday
special programs are arranged. The Feurtl
give the members OF the community the pa
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