The Washington times., 1923-09-10
RECORD YEAR IN
PLAYGROUND
ACTIVITIES
Season Closes in School Yards
After Must Successful
Period.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.

More children enjoyed the health
insuring activities of the city S
school Fairgrounds during the sea-
son closing today than in any pre-
vious year, declared playground Of
ficials today. With the releasing
Of the school grounds which are
today being turned over to the
schools the summer season may De
said to close although the munich
pal Fairgrounds will continue IN
use until January.
Many novel features have been
introduced this year to heighten
interest in the Fairgrounds among
children and their. parents. Be-
sides the introduction of a number
of new play games various COM
petitions have been held including
baby and doll competitions and
home garden exhibits. All Of this
seasons activities will be resumed
next year while plans are being
made to introduce a number OF ad-
Iitional novel features during the
coming season.
Among the latter will be a ma
tfonal playground field day when
champion teams from Fairgrounds
In all sections of the country will
enter competitions for prizes. Va
-
pionships will be established bring
veloped by such centers
Big Field Day Planned.
Playground associations in other
cities with which the plan has been
taken up have endorsed it without
exceptions and will conduct their
next years athletic programs with
the big national field day in view.
From estimates furnished from
outside associations it is expected
that not less. than 500 playground
champions will be entered in the
national competitions. This will in
sure the event taking a ranking
place in American amateur athletics
In 1924.
While the details have not been
completely worked out financing of
q national playground field meet
here, it is declared, can be arranged
Prizes will be solicited among sport
Ing goods manufactures and
national dealers as well as among
local merchants. Several of the
leading hotels have assured the
playground interests they will make |
special arrangements in caring for
the boys and girls coming here to
enter the contests. Practically all of
the social organizations of the city
express willingness to assist in
carrying out the plan and with the
proper assistance given by 50 many
interests. the success Of the meet, it |
is said, is assured
Meet Is Postponed.
1t was planned to close the play.
ground season here with a field
meet attended by competing teams !
from several of the eastern cities. f,
While the latter expressed their |
willingness to send on their boy
and girl | champions, and take
chances on being able to organize
the event on the broad lines pro-
posed, the. time was so short, sew
eral Of them suggested that the
meet had better be put off until
1924.
Those qualified to estimate the
probable attendance" said Richard
Tennyson. director of boys activi-
ties. place the number at between
500 and 500 competitors. Personally
believe the figures will prove
stands what is planned playground
interests all over the country viii
get busy in developing the best ma
terial they have for the big national
competition. 1t has needed just
such an activity as a National
Playground Field Meet to give play.
ground activities the needed stimu- !
his"
While most Of the college men
who have acted as playground aides |
during the summer are leaving, ar |
rangements have been made to Sc |
cure the services of some of them /
on a part time basis to continue |
until the close Of the municipaI |
Fairgrounds the last of December.