Evening star., 1952-12-10
ID. {. Recreation
Shortcomings
Cited in Report
Pools inadequate,
Survey Of First
10 Years Notes

| A shortage OF swimming pools,
illuminated sports areas and rec
reation buildings was cited in the
10-year progress report Of the
District Board of Recreation.
The report said swimming pools
here are grossly inadequate and
primarily seasonal ones. Only
two indoor public pools are avail
able to a city that may approach
a population of million in the
next decade, it pointed out.
Terming future financing pros
|pects a serious problem, the re-
port noted that "the Districts
current fiscal situation is Of grave
CONCERN to all public service
agencies."
It declared that "the rapid in
crease in leisure hours for our
youth and adults must be of con-
Icern to everyone"
The report said also that the
board is Sincerely making an ef-
fort to implement its announced
policy for the progressive elimina-
ton of segregation" Many play
lgrounds and recreation programs
have been declared open, and more
are to follow, 1t noted.
Analysis Need Is Seen.
1.-THE rapid increase in the col
ored population points to the need
for a close study and analysis of
social and economic factors re-
lating to recreation use of public
facilities" it said.
The review pointed out that the
board has had to guard constantly
the authority given it, by the law
creating it in 1912, to determine
Questions of general policy on pub
lie recreation here.
This administrative authority
of the board has been by some
agencies related to land jurisdic-
ton: that is, whether a recreation
unit operates on land to which the
District of Columbia holds the
deed, or on land to which the
United States holds the deed" it
noted. This is still unsettled, it
said.
Attendance Doubled.
Figures indicate that attend
ance at Recreation Department
activities grew from 6,708,331 in
1943 to 13,553,9 1884 in 1852. The
number of units in operation in
creased from 124 to 144. The
staff grew from 101 full-time and
166 part-time positions in 1912 to
208 full-time and $50 part-time
positions in 1852.
Citing the growth in the recrea-
tion program, the report listed
baseball. archery. fencing, bowl
ing, social parties and language
groups among the activities ini-
tiated since 1942. 1t listed these
major accomplishments since that
year:
Sixteen new recreation build
|ings, improvements to two exist
ing buildings, modernization Of
two swimming pools. night light
ling on one unit. concrete
bleachers on one unit, land de-
Ivelopment on II new units, partial
land improvement on 81 existing
units and minor grading on five
new units.
Operating Expenses Jump.
Operating. expenses have in
creased from $379.788. in 1943,
to $1,558.000 for 1852.
;. The report of the boards first
10 years concluded that "a firm
base has been established upon
which a recreation system and
recreation program are develop
ing.
THE citizens, as we'll as public
and governmental officials have
come to realize that recreation is
essential to community living" it
went on.
"Only a start has been made
in providing modest recreation
structures and there remains the
need for financing this program, -
the report said.
The report paid tribute to the
service of Harry S. Wender. chair
man of the Recreation Board for
) 10 years, and James E. Schwab
IA member for, 9l2 years.