New Britain herald., 1926-02-20
TIE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

The Observer hopes he will be
 pardoned for taking pride in the
 fact that tho first suggestion for es.
 tahlishlng q playground near the
 Washington school was made in this
 column. Now, 1t seems, the sug
 gestlon is to be acted upon. Mayor | Paoncssa wrote q letter 10 tho board
 of education this week asking that part of tho consolidated school dis.
 trict property on which he Wash
 inston school is located hc opened
 for playground purposes. The board
 took kindly 10 the request and ap.
 pointed President P. F, King q | committee of one with power 10 act. Months have passed since the idea ! Of n playground for the childrey of
 that district was born. IL can. about as the result of tour made
 through that part of tho city by the
 Observer, who noticed that hun
 drcds of children were playing in
 the streets where their lives and
 limbs were in constant danger from passing vehicles. If seemed at that time, and the conviction is still strong, that the city is rich enough 10 establish playground where the boys and girls might enjoy them selves 10 the fullest under proper supervision and in safety. The fifth
 ward is the most thickly populated aection of the city. II is a district of large families. The Observer ar- gues that paygrounds should be taken 10 the children. not children to the playgrounds, Here is an in- stance of where that idea can be carried out.
 The consolidated school district owns q large tract of land adjoining the Washington school. It is an ideal place for playground. The space will not be needed for many years for school purposes but its use for playground purposes will re- turn heavy dividends in health and good citizenship. The title can re- main in the name of the consolidat. ed school district and the playground cleared out when the ground is need ed to expand the Washington school plant.
 In addition 10 the playground. 1t may be possible 10 erect band stand for summer evening concerts. Why ask thousands of residents 10 walk q mile 10 Walnut Hill park 10 enjoy music when 1t can be given at their very doorstcDs. New Britain is growing fast. If is necessary 10 rid ourselves Of tho idea that all public affairs must be held in the sane spot every year. The center of population has shifted. Outdoor events should follow the trend. as they have done in other cities.
 A local alley manager informs the Observer that fewer people use the bowling alleys now than a few years ago. This may be true, but with the numerous factory, store, fratcrnal girls and other leagues now in action it would not Soeili as li0uBn the pm sport vas exactly going on the rocks, In nd- dition to the old timers, swho still hang about the scenes of rhcir for. ner glory and think of the good old days as they make a shakV 75, and In addition 10 the experts who rat.!c | off 40 and pocket the side, there | Ire always numbers of IubS-Iillc | you an dlike ourselves---Who are al ! ways picking up the game for tn2 l fun of it.
 And there is fun, for there arc more emotional thrills in bowling i han In any other sport. What you 10, YOU do, and if you make Q strike, no one can claim credit for making nice pass to you. On the ! other hand. if you have q spare ]