CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 10

CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS

Sir,—When reading the newspaper report t of a visit of a number of councillors'and prominent'citizens to the Wellington parks, one is forcibly reminded of au American cartoon showing a man standing admiring the plan of an ideal city he has just designed. Alongside of him stand two children, who after carefully examining the plan, are saying: "It's all very nice, but where do we come in?" Surely, when our city fathers are indulging in selfpraise they can here the cry of the children of 'Wellington: "Where do, we come in?"

The school playgrounds in Wellington are a , disgrace to a civilised community, They consist of bare asphalt or gravel yards surrounded by nuge advertisements, or by the brokendown buildings of a pottery. There are few, if any, trees, atid playground apparatus is conspicuous absence. Besides this, the playgrounds are closed for the greater part of the 24 hours, and for three months of the year. The next week or so will see the schools closed down for the Christmas holidays, and the padlocked gates will near the sign ".Trespassers will he prosecuted." It often makes one- pause to consider whether we are a democracy, and to wonder whether'the schools really do Wong to the people. Why caiui'ot we follow the lead given by some of tho cities of America and democratiso our schools? Why cannot tho playground and , the school building itself bo thrown open night and day all the year round as a place of recreation both for adults and children 'r One result, I am sure, would he the demand for better school buildings and properly equipped playgrounds. Tho children being shut out of the school grounds will be left to play in the streets or in the puhlic parks, for in a- town like Wellington what working man can afford to rent a house with a back-yard, when houses in the slum areas, crowded together at the rate of thirty to thq acre, let for 16s. to a pound a. week? Any city that leaves its children to be brought up in the street cannot expect a future race of good citizens; mentally and physically. This leaves the children with nowhere to play, hut in the so-called children's playgrounds in the parks; These playgrounds are few and are a long way' from whero they are most needed. In Central Park n laifje area has been levelled and is set aside for children, hut unfortunately; has been left at that. No play equipment has been provided, nor is there any trees or shelter of any kind. Small wonder that it is generally deserted. In the Basin Eeservo a, small area in one cor-. Her has been fenced off, and is called a children's playground. Here the play apparatus consists of a couple of seats. The verv calling of such places as these "children's playgrdunds'shows how our city fathers Jack aiiy idea of what the children's needs are, and how they should bo satisfied. Surely, in the capital city of a wealthy little country like New Zealand, we could afford te supply these playgrounds with wading ponds, ■ sand courts, swings, etc., together with a. play-leader who could organise the playground on scientific lines. i ' ~ In the summer ono recreation facility that,is greatly appreciated by the children is the swimming bathe. Here wo find the council collecting pennies from the children for admission. It is time that the public began to learn that recreation is just as important, to national wellbeing as is education, and like education should bo free. «ho would daro at the present time to suggest that the children should be charged a penny admission to school; yet here in Wellington we find theeouncil charging children for admission to swimming baths. Surely it is time we began to look after our children, for the State suffers just eo far as the child is ignorant or weak. "We suffer with the child, whether we will or no, for do we not share his burdens? Let us not, then, weary of the struggle until the child gets a square deal, and until ie does wo cannot have, and do noli deserve that glorious manhood, that splendid citizenship that will come from duty done in childhood's sacred causo.'! —I am, etc., MONTGOMERIE BALLANTYNE, A.N.Z.I.A.