Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

THE most radical change in the att1-
tude of most people toward public
works of all kinds in recent
years has been the growing appre-
citation of the importance Of the
amenities of life and of the neces-
sity for outdoor recreation for all ages. In the
middle of the nineteenth century, when most
people were raised on the farm the goal every
one wished to attain was relief from outdoor
manual labor and assurance Of the special
comforts and cOnveniences connected with city
life. Now that majority of our people live
in congested towns and cities. and work in
factories stores and Offices, the need for outdoor
exercise and recreation is recognized.
The revolutionary change in both the volume
and the character of street traffic has since
the World War made the normal public space
unusable and unsafe and so packs and play
grounds have become an urgent necessity,
where formerly they were desirable luxury.
Public opinion was first aroused to secure safe
play places for small children. but Of late the
need for public outdoor recreation spaces suit
able for ali ages and all tastes has become
manifest The traffic conditions in city
streets still produce yearly casualty list ap-
proximating In numbers battle casualties
during the war. If for no other reason than
to have the physical fitness to avoid the death
trap that is constantly lurking around the
corner for each of uS-and SO much easier to
find than proSperity-the provision OF public
recreation spaces is an obligation upon the
authorities of States, cities and towns. In
addition, the automobile ITSELF as convenient
means of cheap recreation and Of Transporter
ton, has created in its users a new demand
for places to visit, to camp out, to enjoy the
relief and repose obtained by an entire change
Of surroundings, life in the open, and the
avocations of more primitive state Of society,"
Only a very small percentage Of the popu-
lation can afford the luxury Of private country
places and country clubs, not many Of those
living In cities can spare the time the cost
of the relatively long trip to one Of the ma
tional parks. Therefore all the larger cities
and some of the States have for years been
looking for public recreation grounds for
families and for adults, in addition to the city
Fairgrounds and ball fields within the city
limits where their less l-todo inhabitants
can get that touch of nature and Of the out
of-doors so necessary to a sound mind in a
sound body.
The Nation wide economic depression has
only accentuated and enhanced the social value
of public recreation spaces and facilities, by
increasing the number Of persons who cannot
pay the cost of commercialized recreation and
by increasing the hours of idleness when the
public must choose between such healthy and
beneficial recreation and the associations and
amusements which lead to vicious habits, Ill
health and crime
Washington is particularly fortunate in hav-
ing within its immediate surroundings, within
the reach of suburban street cars and buses,
great natural playground of unusual beauty,
picturesqueness, variety and individual charm.
The Potomac River Valley between Mount YER
non and Great Falls contains an extraordinary
number and variety Of the elements that are