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Show Put Children Before Ash-Cans "Don't let ash-cans and clothes posts monopolize your backyard," urges the Playground and Recreation Association ; of America. "Give the children a chance at least to compete with them. In view of the backyard deserts so often seen, i; it's no wonder children take to the streets for play. A pieces of home-made play apparatus will turn such a place into a playground oasis that will supply health and fun for the whole family." Some of the play facilities which Dad or big brother can make in their spare time are sand-boxes, horizontal bars, flying rings, playhouses, turning poles and teeters. A space 1 40x20 feet can be turned into a compact home playground with three or four of these pieces of apparatus. Larger yards can take in a golf driving net, volley ball court or even ' a small tennis court. The smallest backyard will hold a sand-box. This takes only two dollar's worth of material, but is a never failing source of delight to children, opening up whole worlds of castles, mountains and towns of their own 1 creating. Gone or at least going are the days of the rope swing on the old apple tree bough and of the old fashioned cellar ' door with its alluring slant. But the child in the modern city or large town can enjoy such substitutes as a swing , with supports of wrought iron pipe and a polished wooden v. slide, just as joy-provoking and easier on juvenile apparel. The side of the garage offers an excellent backstop for a , handball court and a place to which to attach a basketball 1 goal. In some cities fences seperating backyard courts have been torn down and the resulting space has been made into a playground, the families joining. in buying equipment. Towns and cities should give thought to promoting home playgrounds as well as public playgrounds, the Playground and Recreation Association of America points out. Public playgrounds are necessary in these days of dangerous streets ! and of complex living, and are invaluable for teaching fair J play and citizenship, but they should always be supple-:i supple-:i merited by regular play hours at home. Little tots who can-; can-; not make their way to and from the public playground in ; safety are especially in need of a home playground. The association reports that the backyard idea has been spreading spread-ing rapidly during the past two years and has been featured in campaigns for more home play by cities all over the country. |