Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-04-24
PROPOSED PUBLIC PLAY
GROUND

An article appeared IN last weeks
issue of the Progressive" stating
the physical condition Of the school
children of Belington, as was shown
by the examination conducted by the
County Health Nurse and local
physician. The facts of the abnor
NAL weight of our children were 81
en- and emphasized
There are a number of remedies
that will help overcome this abnor-
NAL condition, the most important
ones are: Proper food, proper a.
mount and regular hours of sleep,
and proper exercise.
In order to get the proper kind and
amount of exercise, why not have
a Public Supervised Play Ground ?
We own a park-an ideal place for
a play ground, but it has not met
with the success in the past that it
should have had, because it has ne
yer been supervised, and there can
not be anything effectively done with
out the organization and supervision.
This summer we have an opportunity
to get supervised play ground. Mr..
Waggoner, Athletic Coach in the
High School and Mr.. Elder, Music
Supervisor have each had instruc-
tions and experience in physical edu-
cation (Calisthenics) and they have
consented to supervise the park as
a public play ground, for at least
two months during the summer, if
the citizens will help finance the pro-
position.
These men propose to supervise
the play each afternoon, except
Sundays from one to five o'clock.
There will be two meeting places Sc
lected, one on each side Of the river,
and the small children will be under
their care going to and returning
from the park. Mr.. Waggoner will
have charge of the larger children,
andtheir games will consist of base
ball, volley ball, croquet, pole vault
ing and other games suitable for
girls and boys of their size, and the
smaller children will be under the SUI
pervision of Mr.. Elder, and they will
be taught games, singing game, and
will have swings, shoots sand boxes
and other sport that are dear to the
hearts of the little ones.
A supervised play ground not only
developes the child physically but
they learn the art of "give and take"
in their play when associated in
groups, and this is something that
must be practiced all through life.
1t relieves mother of the care and
responsibility of their children each
afternoon, and they know where their
children are, and know they are be-
ing cared for.
1t has been found that in cities
where they have supervised play
grounds, juvinile crimes have been
reduced from 40 to 80 per cent. Thus
it is seen that one of the very i'm
portant advantages of supervised
play grounds is the development of
moral character This phase of the
child's life will be given as much at
tention as the physical development.
Another advantage of the play
ground is, number of children do
not have suitable places to play and
are forced to play in the streets.
With the number of automobiles
that are travelling the streets, this
practice is indeed dangerous, and if
one child should become crippled or
killed, we have lost more than few
dollars can pay
You will perhaps be called upon in
the near future for a subscription
to pay these two gentlemen for their
time and to help install some equip
ment, and if you are interested in
the children of our town, which we
all are, make as liberal subscrip-
ton as possible, and give our chill
dren two or three months protection
and supervised play for the improve
ment of their health.