ELMWOOD PARK.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 14

ELMWOOD PARK.

QUESTION OF PLAYGROUND SITE. HOUSEHOLDERS AND CITY COUNCIL. Householders in the Elmwood School district last night made a recommendation to the City Council in conflict with that of the Curator of Reserves (Mr J. Young), in holding that the proposed children's playground for the district should be set up in the western end of Elmwood Park. The eastern end—that suggested by Mr Young—was characterised as a "dirty, ugl}, damp area" unlit for the occupation of children.

Mr E. H. Andrews, who presided, informed the meeting of Mr loung s decision. He had recommended to the Council after careful consideration that the eastern portion of the park was the most suitable allocation for the plavground; on the western end tenuis and bowling courts could be laid down. The Council did not usually care to go against the recommendations of its officers, he said. However, the Council, too, was quite at liberty to make its recommendations. He personally supported Mr Young's recommendations. It had been said that the section of the park referred to was wet and damp during the winter months, but that was a defect that could be easily remedied. Then there was the question of supervision. Ihere Avas ho question that "a ehndren's playground ne;ded to be under constant supervision. People were always passing along the street near the eastern end of the park, and this was a tremendous advantage. __ _ . Considerable discussion followed on ths subject. It was eventually decided that a recommendation should be forwarded to the Council that the playground should be situated in the west end of the park. Mr Ockenden moved, and Mr J. H. Rhodes seconded —"That this meeting heartily endorses the action of those householders who petitioned the City Council for the abandonment of the pond project in the park." This was carried. The chairman reported that Mr Young had given instructions to the foreman of the Council to go ahead with the work of clearing the eastern end of the park for the playground. Householders expressed the opinion that they would sooner see the work delayed for Twelve months than, hatve it done wrongly. Mr W. Wood: "It's a dirty, damp, ugly site that has been suggested. It is not the right place at all." The matter of equipment was next dealt with. "Where are you going to put your equipment when you get it?" asked Mr Wood. A voice: In the ground, of course. Mr Wood: Yes, that is all very -well; but you haven't decided upon your ground yet. You have gone against the decision of the Council, and don't want the ground that has been ordered to be prepared , for. you. Mr R. • B. Owen, suggested that the equipment should .be similar ' to that already installed in othor children's playgrounds. "Of course we ean/t equip the whole playground right off," said Mr Owen, "but we can get the most popular appliances first." Mr Dalrymple: Why not leave the matter in the hands of the children? Let them have a vote on the matter. Mr Andrews: You would not get any satisfaction at all. It was decided that as much money as possible should be collected before Christmas, and that this, together with the City Council's subsidy, should be expended immediately. Messrs Owen, Ockenden, McGee, and Andrews were appointed a sub-com-mittee to deal with the matter, with power to act.

It was reported that the amount which it was intended should be expended on the equipment of the park was £3OO, this including the Council subsidy.