The Wyandotte news-herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1943-1963, 1946-02-04
by
strauss
gantZ
Recreation

readonal facilities that are on a
par with progressive cities a new
approach to the problem is neces-
sary. A new set Of principles must
first be agreed upon before any
long range planning can be under
taken.
Nationally recognized recrea-
tional planners will be brought here
soon to study local conditions and
lay down on paper a program for
us 70 follow during the years ahead.
IL might well be wise to anticipate
some of their suggestions and be
prepared to carry out a recreation
al program without the danger OF
dismal failure.
This Is not editorial comment.
Instead, it is merely a natural con-
clusion after meeting with over
1000 delegates to the National Rec
reation Congress held in Atlantic
City last week. Governors, senators,
athletic directors, school superin-
tendents and newsmen spent week
comparing recreational programs
and laying plans that will place
community sponsored recreation at
the top of services rendered by 10
Cal governments. The war has
taught the nation the importance
of this phase of living. 1t is no
longer questionable in the eyes of
the nations leaders that relaxing
Is - important as working. Well
run cities from coast to coast are
busy planning more parks, more
swimming pools, more community
centers. more ways for young and
old to let their hair down after the
days work Is done.
Many factors were argued at the
convention some bitterly. But
there were certain principles no
one questioned. They are accepted
by recreation-minded political and
educational leaders. Without first
agreeing upon them no program
can succeed. Money spent for rec
reAtional planners is money wasted
unless first q set Of principles is
agreed upon.
Any successful program must be
designed utilizing all facilities in
the community. Wherever there is
. building or q piece of land that
belongs to the taxpayers that prop
erty must be used to the fullest,
70 belongs to the taxpayers and 1t
must Be used for the taxpayers.
School buildings, school grounds
and school equipment must be
thrown open to everyone, young
and old. School authorities should
join hands with city recreation de-
raYtments In programs that will get
the fullest use of every facility
They said there can be no line
dravn between school systems and
city planned programs.
They said the public school IA
cilities belong to all the people
They urged parochial recreational
leaders to join hands in the plan
ming since public school facilities
are equally theirs.
They urged that school officials
be placed on city recreation COM
missions so there would be the full
lest harmony. Coordination, not
friction, must be their united pur-
pose.
They urged the appointment OF
ut least one woman to serve on
every recreation board.
They agreed that $3.50 per year
per capita is q necessary expendi-
t,re for an about successful pro-
gram.
They said that every school build
ing u . potential community cen
ter that can easily be thrown open
TO the entire family for every form
of relaxation. They urged that
these buildings be used for club
rooms, for classes in dancing, sew
ing. cooking, crafts and. anything
else the people in the community
wanted. They said this should be
Done without charge to the resi-
dents.
The ideal arrangements outlined
would make it possible for the en-
tire family to enter q building and
therein would be some form Of rec
reation for mother, dad, sis and
son. II there are places in the COM
munity where the parents can re-
Lax and little for the youth of the
city to do it will certainly breed
still more juvenile delinquency.
Those few words above contain
the broad outline upon which every
successful recreation program in
nation is being patterned. Our pur-
pose In covering the Congress was
to find out what the rest Of the
nations communities are doing for
the citizens living within their
borders.
We found out that there is a
race going at fever pitch to see how
much can be provided by the pro-
gressive towns and cities that viii
make them better places to live.
We found out It Is entirely pos
sibls to make any community a
good place to live. All 1t takes Is a
win % do 1t working together
planning together and
sharing together.
Right now Wyandotte is at the
fork IN the roads. It might be OPP
perfume to argue which is the right
direction. Only please. don't anyone
send rs In the wrong direction for
any selfish purpose. It wouldn't be
la1r q the kids just growing up
A.A 80 the man and uorynoy,