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Show GROWTH OF PLAYGROUNDS Sixteen Hundred Playing Spaces Have Developed From the Old Bos-top Bos-top Sand Pile Idea. Twenty years ago not more than two playgrounds existed in America that could meet the requirements of today's standard. Ten years ago there were approximately 60 in 30 cities. 1 Now there are surely 1,600 in 300 ! cities and towns in all sections of the j country. I The growth in number seems to ie spontaneous wherever the idea is comprehended. In most eases they start through private initiative and are later taken over by some municipal department, or, better yet, by a new department whose sole duty is to look after the recreation needs of a community. Nearly half the cities having playgrounds have them wholly or partly under such public control and support. The present tendency is for cities to make playground development a civic duty, these places becoming recreation centers cen-ters for the benefit of all inhabitants regardless of age limits or social conditions. con-ditions. Christian Science Monitor. |