New Britain herald., 1927-08-04
SEVEN FAIRGROUNDS; HAPPY YOUNGSTERS

The city's investment in play ground equipment is paying hand some dividends. To prove this one needs merely to visit any one of the seven maintained by a beneficent city which in this manner Is meeting the ugent need of giving children the benefits of organized play oppor- tunities.
 All of the playgrounds are well patronized' by youngsters who wend their way to them with the regular ity of clock work. Only two of the seven-the Washington school and Smalley park Cor Paradise park playgrounds are open in the evening. or until s:3o p. m. With more direc- tors in charge the others-Nathan Hale, Old Burritt. Willow Brook. Smith School and Walnut Hill playgrounds also could be open later.
 
 As it happens these close down at 5 p. m.
 The hours of play, from 9 to 11:3o a. m., to p. m., and in the case of the Washington and Smalley park playgrounds from to S:50 are ideal for children, the opening and closing periods coming at time when they can come or depart from their homes during time of the day when the traffic Is not at its apex. The 13 directors, and the two addi- tional. evening directors, are doing a notable work in looking after the play of their little charges.
 The playgrounds. it can be noted. need two sets of directors and later hours for the five which are closed at 5 D. m. The evening sessions at the two playgrounds where they ob- tain are exceptionally popular; this may be because there are more children in the neighborhoods. but 1t Is also due to the fact that chill dren do not as rule wish to dis continue opportunities of play as early at 5 p. m.
 The man and woman director at all the playgrounds cannot both be active in organizing games at the same time. While one is thus en- ployed the other must watch the children who are not taking part. At present this operates according to sex; while the man director Is or ganizing the play of the boys, tho woman director must be custodian of the girls. Twice as many directors would obviate this difficulty in tech mic; but then, the answer is that 1t would be too expensive. It was not many years ago, however, when the entire playground proposal was thought "too expensive" We have gotten over that and may get over the idea that anything else in con- nection with the system of play ground supervision is too expensive.
 Martin Anderson, the playground supervisor is busy man during the season and it must be said keeps in thorough touch with all that is going on. The employ ment of a folk dance instructor, who visits all the playgrounds in success sion, Is 8 happy idea; as is the sys- tenn of having two instructors teach ing junior achievement work, one engaged In teaching sewing to girls and one engaged in teaching wood carving to the boys. These also travel from one playground to the other. and it Is 8 pity such instruction cannot be given more frequently.
 The playgrounds are not equally at least, one is needed in the Stanley Quarter park section, and there seems no reason against establishing 1t in that park. Both the Willow Brook and Walnut hill play grounds are of comparatively recent vintage. and their success should indicate that similar playground in Stanley Quarter park would be equally popular. This subject might well be kept in mind, and a play ground in that section instituted next year.
 The city has reason to be proud of it's playground facilities. That does not mean improvements can- not be made; they should be made from year to year, and new ones established at strategical points. A city, especially an industrial city, cannot have too many playgrounds. Here are places where children can be said to have a good start in life. The children themselves are incul- cated with a high regard for the city which provides such means for play; they get into touch with and the meaning of civic their health is benefited; and they are kept off the streets.
 THE, POWER OF SUGGESTION
 A man from New Britain went 10 Cape Cod and there attended church of a Sunday morning. He |