Evening star., 1943-04-17
Committee Asks
Fairgrounds
For Arlington
Urges $4,250 Fund
To Finance Plan
For Recreation

Declaring that recreation facili-
ties for children of working parents
should be the primary concern of
wartime public recreation pro-
gram in Arlington County. a special
committee today recommended that
the county board appropriate S4,250
to be used by school authoritie:, to
provide supervised recreation pro-
gram for the balance of the school
term.
An appropriation of $4,000 in next
years budget to provide a super
vised recreational program for the
fall term also was urged.
The committee, which was ap-
pointed April 3 to make survey of
recreational needs in the county.
further recommended that the
county board make provisions in the
next years budget for acquisition of
lands for Fairgrounds, and that
these lands be expanded thereafter
as rapidly as county finances will
allow.
Leases Proposed.
III Oiuci W pCIHlll lilc pIOlIlpI
reservation of more playground
property for public use than would
be possible by outright purchase, the
committee suggested that considera-
tion be given to obtaining the neces-
sary lands by lease. with option to
the county to apply portion of the
annual rent toward an agreed pur-
chase price.
In recommending that $4,000 be
provided for the program next term,
the committee pointed out that it
is not practicable at this time to
anticipate the recreational needs
beyond next fall
The committee agreed that Or
ganized recreation in the county
can best be handled under the ad-
ministration of the public schools
and recommended that the county
board leave the administrator Of
such playground facilities as might
be acquired to the school authori-
ties.
The recommended s425O fund, the
committee said should be made
available Immediately to provide
supervised recreational facilities for
school-age children covering the
period from the end of the school
day to 6 pm. and throughout the
day on Saturday.
School Board Willing.
Pointing out that the School
Board has signifled its willingness
to undertake the program if funds
are made available, the committee
said that recreational facilities
should be provided on school
grounds and directed by the exist
ing personnel.
The school board already has
provided for summer program of
all-day supervised recreation for
children of years of age and
up," the committee said which is
hoped may prove adequate to meet
any increased wartime need for this
service. II not, it may be necessary
for the board to supplement the
school boards appropriation for this
summer program.
I'VE do not recommend that the
county government undertake at
present the operation of public nur-
sery schools or day nurseries for
children of pre-school age 1t is
hoped that private facilities, operat-
ing under safeguards imposed by the
new county ordinance may prove
sufficient to meet these needs
Members OF the special committee
include Basil NJ De Lashmutt. chair
man Of the board; Frank C. Hanra-
han, county manager. and Edmund
D. Campbell, board member. The
recommendations were made fol-
lowing a conference with school
committee consisting of Mrs. Lucy
Bussey, school board chairman:
Fletcher Kemp, superintendent of
schools, and B. NJ Smith, member
Of the school board.